Euoplocephalus

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***Euoplocephalus*** is a genus of ankylosaurid dinosaur that originated from Late Cretaceous North America. One of the best-known dinosaurs, *Euoplocephalus* possessed fused bone plates on its back that acted as body armor as well as a pair of horns that protruded from the back of the neck as a defense against being attacked by predators.

Upon completion of the Claire's Sanctuary story missions, *Euoplocephalus* becomes available in the main campaign by progressing through the Science Division on Isla Muerta, where its fossils can subsequently be excavated in the Dinosaur Park Formation.

## History

*Euoplocephalus* was one of the species intended to be exhibited in the original Jurassic Park on Isla Nublar by InGen, however, they had not been cloned at the time of the 1993 incident. A 1996 asset catalogue of the dinosaurs present on Nublar and InGen's Site B facility on Isla Sorna, reported that a mere nine percent of the *Euoplocephalus* genome had been completed. According to reports made by Dinosaur Protection Group in 2018, it was implied that the species had been cloned for Jurassic World prior to its closure in 2015, and was subject to cruelty.

## Characteristics

One of the largest ankylosaurids in *Evolution* at around eight meters in length and weighing almost three tons, *Euoplocephalus* lives up to its name, which translates to "*Well-Armed Head*". It feeds on ground-level plants with its tapered beak. It is best known for its powerful clubbed tail that it uses for defense (which can exert an impact force of 500 to 1000 newtons), armor plates on its back and horns at the base of its head – all of which help *Euoplocephalus* to protect itself from predators. A distinctive feature of *Euoplocephalus* is its armored eyelids, which offered protection against predators. This eye protection is particularly useful for an Ankylosaurid, as their head is at ground level and is vulnerable to claw attacks.

### Behaviour

One of the more social ankylosaurs, *Euoplocephalus* is the only species which can't be kept solitarily. It is more tolerant of other dinosaur species and can also be kept with small carnivores. It will fight with large carnivores.

## Paleontology

The first fossil of *Euoplocephalus* was discovered in Alberta in 1897 by Canadian paleontologist Lawrence Morris Lambe, in the area now known as the Dinosaur Provincial Park, where he unearthed a partial skull and small bits of armor. Further *Euoplocephalus* bones were discovered throughout the 20th Century, including a tooth excavated by Lambe himself. Five years later in 1902, *Euoplocephalus* was initially used as the holotype of a seemingly new species, named *Stereocephalus tutus* - meaning "*Solid Head*". However, it had to be renamed to *Euoplocephalus* in 1910 when Lambe found out the name *Stereocephalus* was already occupied by a species of beetles. Later, many more ankylosaurid remains were found from the Campanian of North America and often made separate genera. *Euoplocephalus* fossils share their discovery location with a number of other Ankylosaurids, and as a result, the number of confirmed *Euoplocephalus* specimens has shrunk as they have been reassigned to other species. In 1971, Walter Coombs concluded that they all belonged to *Euoplocephalus*, which then would be one of the best-known dinosaurs. Recently, however, experts have come to the opposite conclusion, limiting the authentic finds of *Euoplocephalus* to about a dozen specimens. These include a number of almost complete skeletons, so much is nevertheless known about the build of the animal.

Measuring almost size meters in length and weighing over two tons, this dinosaurs body was low-slung and very flat and wide, standing on four sturdy legs. Its head had a short drooping snout with a horny beak to bite off plants that were digested in the large gut. Like other ankylosaurids, *Euoplocephalus* was largely covered by bony armor plates, among them rows of large high-ridged oval scutes. The neck was protected by two bone rings. It could also actively defend itself against predators like *Albertosaurus* using a heavy club-like tail end.

### Paleoecology

*Euoplocephalus* dates back to the Late Cretaceous period, around 70-75 million years ago and roamed the vast floodplains of Canada and western North America, staying close to rivers to ensure easy access to water and vegetation. It lived alongside other dinosaurs including *Parasaurolophus* and the fearsome apex predator *Albertosaurus*.

## Skins

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 ARID

 JUNGLE

 RAINFOREST

 STEPPE

 TUNDRA

 Rainforest: Sanctuary Challenge Mode Jurassic Difficulty Unlock

## Gallery

VideosSpecies Profile - Euoplocephalus
Images
## References

1. ↑ *What Killed the Gene Guard Act?*. (February 23, 2018). Dinosaur Protection Group. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
2. ↑ Dinosaur Protection Group. (2018). *Dinosaurs Are Mortal. Cruelty Is Timeless.* [Poster]. Retrieved March 20, 2021.