Gargoyleosaurus parkpinorum

One of the oldest well-understood ankylosaurs from North America, Gargoyleosaurus parkpinorum comes from the Kimmeridgian Morrison Formation of Wyoming. A medium-sized armoured herbivore roughly three to four metres long, it carried a broad skull and distinctive body armour. Its early appearance makes it important for understanding the origins of the armoured dinosaurs.

† Gargoyleosaurus parkpinorum — a Late Jurassic ankylosaur from Wyoming's Morrison Formation. Medium herbivore (~3–4 m long, ~300–400 kg). One of the oldest well-known ankylosaurs from North America; features a broad skull with distinctive armor. Kimmeridgian; contributes to understanding early an.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Gargoyleosaurus parkpinorum 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

Jurassic Late Mesozoic Era

Gargoyleosaurus parkpinorum lived during the Jurassic Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 161.5 to 145.0 million years ago.

One of the most iconic periods for dinosaurs. Giant sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus roamed alongside predators like Allosaurus. Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, appeared. The Morrison Formation preserves an extraordinary fossil record from this time.