Ankylosaurus was the most famous of all the armored dinosaurs. With a large club on its tail, these herbivores were perfectly adapted to defend itself from the large predators that shared the land with them. These great herbivores were living suits of armor, to the point where even their eyelids were armored. Unfortunately, while being a living tank, they were not very intelligent.

Basic info

Meaning of name: Ankylosaurus means "fused lizard".

Time of existence: Ankylosaurus lived during the late Cretaceous, 83.5 million to 66 million years ago.

Diet: Ankylosaurus was strictly a herbivore, feeding on bushes, low hanging trees, and flowers.

Threats: Ankylosaurus was at risk of predation from Tyrannosaurus and other large predators. However, their armor usually would deter predators.

Size: Ankylosaurus grew from 20 to 26 feet long.

Attributes: Obviously, Ankylosaurus' main attribute was its extremely tough armor plating, which was very hard to break through. Ankylosaurus also had a large club on the end of its tail, which was strong enough to break the bones of other animals. Ankylosaurus also had a phenominal sense of smell.

An Ankylosaurus walking through a forest

Appearances in the Walking with... series

Walking with Dinosaurs

Episode 6-Death of a Dynasty

Ankylosaurus plays a fairly minor, but pivotal role in the episode. Ankylosaurus is first seen feeding on some shrubs. A second approaches growling, while swinging its tail from side to side. The two Ankylosaurus meet up and smell each other, accepting each other's company. Sadly, however, Ankylosaurus' armor may be specialized for defense against dinosaurs, but it can't protect them from nature. Ankylosaurus does not appear again until close to the end of the episode, where it wanders into the territory of a mother Tyrannosaurus. The mother rises up and growls in an attempt to ward the Ankylosaurus off. However, the herbivore refuses to back down, and begins to aggresively swing its tail while growling.

Ankylosaurus faces off with a mother Tyrannosaurus

Although the Tyrannosaurus would normally retreat, she refuses to abandon her young. Unfortunately, this decision costs her her life, as the Ankylosaurus swings its club directly into her leg, breaking her femur and rupturing her organs. The Ankylosaurus backs up while growling as the mother limps away, dying in the night. Unfortunately for the Ankylosaurus, it wouldn't enjoy its new turf for long, as it would die alongside all the other dinosaurs.

The Ankylosaurus about to fatally wound an Ankylosaurus

Walking with Beasts

Episode 1-New Dawn

Ankylosaurus is briefly seen in the beginning of the opening synopsis, where it is seen fighting the Tyrannosaurus.

Chased by Sea Monsters

Episode 3-To Hell...and Back?

Ankylosaurus only briefly appeared on the time map before the Cretaceous segment.