It's only natural that one of the first dinosaurs ever discovered would also become one of the most famous. Iguanodon was among the dinosaurs that started it all, and naturally has become one of the most recognizable of these magnificent beasts. They were quite successful animals, with them and their relatives making a home of almost all the continents.

Basic info

Meaning of name: Iguanodon means "iguana tooth".

Time of existence: Iguanodon lived from the late Jurassic to the middle Cretaceous, 157.3 million to 93.9 million years ago.

Diet: Iguanodon fed on plants, and had to adapt to feed on many different kinds due to their wide range. They enjoyed anything from conifers to gingko.

A North American Iguanodon drinking

Threats: Being as abundant as they were, Iguanodon had many predators, including the very first dinosaur ever discovered, Megalosaurus, and possibly some species of dromaeosaurs. They also could risk starvation and dying of thirst during the dry season.

Meaning of name: Iguanodon means "iguana tooth".

Attributes: Iguanodon had a few attributes that allowed their success. For one, they were one of the only dinosaurs that actually were able to chew up their food with their strong jaws and teeth. They also had a spike on their thumb that was possibly used as defense against predators. They also traveled in large herds, which allowed protection, as there was safety in numbers.

A European Iguanodon

Appearances in the Walking with... series

Walking with Dinosaurs

Episode 4-Giant of the Skies

Iguanodon appears as a recurring creature in the episode. It is first seen when the Ornithocheirus arrives at the southern tip of North America, where a massive herd of Iguanodon is seen grazing at the edge of a forest while traveling and searching for food. The young Iguanodon play around the adults, and begin to harass a Polacanthus, who simply continues walking. An adult is seen getting a drink before a strange whistle sounds, and the herd regroups, continuing their journey.

A huge herd of North American Iguanodon

Later on, a massive storm hits the coast, and the Iguanodon, who are unbothered by the storm, continue to travel through the mist, before stopping at the river estuary, and beginning to feed on the plants and drinking from the river. We are then told that Iguanodon is the first herbivorous dinosaur to be able to chew, which has aided them in their success. This is the last time we see the North American Iguanodon. After the Ornithocheirus arrives in Europe, we are introduced to another Iguanodon herd, this time of a European type. They are seen arriving at a scrubland, once again accompanied by a Polacanthus. However, the herbivores are unaware that they are being watched by a pack of Utahraptor. Later, a female Utahraptor decides to try her luck against an Iguanodon, who is simply feeding on a conifer. The Iguanodon, however, begin to sense danger, and one is selected by the raptor. Although she manages to jump on his back after a brief chase, she ends up falling off, and the Iguanodon escapes back to the herd, where two individuals begin roaring at the angry predator. Soon, the herbivores calm down, beginning to move down to a lake to drink, followed by the hunters.

A herd of European Iguanodon

Soon, the whole herd of Iguanodon arrive at the lake, and begin to drink while the Ornithocheirus sits safe on a rock. However, the raptors watch as they drink, and the Iguanodon begin to get nervous, sensing the threat. However, this time, the raptors are able to get extremely close to the herd, and the Iguanodon begin to flee. However, two raptors jump onto one of the herbivores, and are able to bring it down by biting it around the neck. The rest of the herd watches and then moves on. The Utahraptors then feed on the carcass of the Iguanodon. This is the final appearance of the Iguanodon in the episode.