Nodosaurus

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***Nodosaurus*** is a genus of nodosaurid dinosaur that originated from Late Cretaceous North America. One of the first armored dinosaurs discovered in North America, *Nodosaurus* is unlocked by the Hammond Foundation upon completion of the Science Division mission on Isla Tacaño.

## Characteristics

A burly and broad-bodied dinosaur and one of the first ankylosaurs to be found in North America, *Nodosaurus* is covered in thick bony scutes with which bear armored spikes running along its back and tail – its name translates to "*Knobbed Lizard*". Measuring six meters in length and weigh nearly four tons, its armor plates are essential for protecting *Nodosaurus* from predators, as its short legs and heavy frame mean that it is unable to reach high speeds to escape. Much like *Ankylosaurus*, *Nodosaurus* has excellent defenses, yet a short lifespan and poor immunity. However it is one of the cheaper dinosaurs available and has relatively low space needs. The inexpensive incubation of *Nodosaurus* means that its genes can be edited so that it can have a longer lifespan and better immunity without raising the price too high. The base genome is a soft brown color.

### Behavior

*Nodosaurus* isn't a very social animal, though it isn't quite as hostile as *Sauropelta*. It can live alone, in a small group of four or less, or alternatively with seven other dinosaurs. It can be used to make an armoured dinosaur display with *Ankylosaurus*, *Crichtonsaurus*, and *Polacanthus*.

## Paleontology

One of the first armored dinosaurs discovered in North America, *Nodosaurus* is a medium sized herbivore. For over a century, everything we knew about *Nodosaurus* came from a single, incomplete specimen that was discovered from the Frontier Formation in Wyoming and first named by celebrated paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh in 1889. However, in 2011 a team of miners made an incredible discovery in Alberta, Canada – a near-complete Nodosaurus skeleton, including armored plates and even skin, that took almost six years to fully excavate. Despite being a type genus of the Nodosauridae family, *Nodosaurus* is only known from incomplete remains including pieces of armor, spine and hip. Paleontologists have a decent idea of what this dinosaur could have looked like, due to their knowledge of better known relatives such as *Edmontonia* and *Borealopelta*.

The nodosauridae family are recognizable from the Ankylosauridae by their lack of tail clubs and narrower mouths, suggesting they were more selective about their diets.

### Paleoecology

*Nodosaurus* lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, around 100-110 million years ago, in coastal plains, which now are the Frontier Formation of Wyoming. The only other dinosaur known to have lived during the same time period is another relatively unknown ankylosaur, *Stegopelta*. Little is known about the ecology of the Frontier Formation. *Nodosaurus'* teeth were not designed for chewing tough plants, so it is likely that it fed on small, soft plants.

## Skins

 NULL

 ARID

 COASTAL

 JUNGLE

 STEPPE

 WOODLAND

## Trivia

* *Nodosaurus* was the twentieth dinosaur to receive a Species Profile, on 25 May 2018.
* *Nodosaurus* in *Evolution* seems to be based on another genus of nodosaurid dinosaur, called *Borealopelta*.

## Gallery

VideosSpecies Profile - Nodosaurus
Images
## References

1. ↑ Frontier Developments. (May 25, 2018). *Species Profile - Nodosaurus* [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved October 26, 2019.