Echinodon becklesii

† Echinodon becklesii is the type species of Echinodon, a tiny heterodontosaurid dinosaur from the Berriasian (Early Cretaceous) Purbeck Formation of Dorset, England. Named after fossil collector Samuel Beckles, it is known from isolated teeth and fragmentary jaw material described by Owen in 1861. With conspicuous canine-like fangs and small cheek teeth, it likely processed both plant matter and invertebrates. It is one of the geologically youngest and smallest known heterodontosaurids.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Echinodon becklesii was a plant-eating dinosaur. Herbivores typically fed on ferns, cycads, conifers, and other vegetation available during their era. Many herbivorous dinosaurs developed specialized teeth and digestive systems for processing tough plant material.

Time Period

Cretaceous Early Mesozoic Era

Echinodon becklesii lived during the Cretaceous Early period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 145,0 to 100,5 million years ago.

The Cretaceous saw continued dinosaur evolution with the rise of ornithopods and early ceratopsians. Flowering plants first appeared and began to transform terrestrial ecosystems. Spinosaurus and other large theropods lived during this time.