Iguanodontidae

† Iguanodontidae — the family of large iguanodontian ornithopods including Iguanodon and close relatives. Large herbivores (8–12 m) with thumb spikes, broad dental batteries, and flexible wrist bones. From Early Cretaceous deposits of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Precursors to hadrosaurs.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Iguanodontidae 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

Iguanodontidae 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.