Dracopelta zbyszewskii

†Dracopelta zbyszewskii is an extinct ankylosaur from the Late Jurassic Lourinhã Formation of Portugal. One of the oldest and most primitive known ankylosaurs, this herbivore bore multiple rows of small osteoderms protecting its back. Named after geologist Georges Zbyszewski, it provides key data on the early evolution of ankylosaur armor.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Dracopelta zbyszewskii 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

Dracopelta zbyszewskii 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.