Aletopelta coombsi is a genus of ankylosaurian dinosaurs that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 140 million years ago. It is the only known species of the genus Aletopelta. The fossil remains of Aletopelta coombsi were discovered in 1996 in the Cloverly Formation of Montana, USA. It is one of the most complete ankylosaurian specimens found in the Cloverly Formation, with a complete skull, partial postcranial skeleton, and a well-preserved armor of bony plates and spikes.
Aletopelta coombsi was a small dinosaur, measuring about 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) in length. Its skull was short and wide, with a beak-like snout and small teeth. Its body was covered with bony plates and spikes, and it had a heavily armored tail club.
Aletopelta coombsi is thought to have been a solitary and slow-moving herbivore. Its armor may have been used for protection from predators, as well as to defend itself against other ankylosaurids. Its tail club may have been used to defend itself against predators, as well as to break open tough plant material.
| Name: | Aletopelta dinosaurs |
| Size: | About 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) in length. |
| Body: | Aletopelta body was protected by a series of bony plates and spikes along the back, sides, and tail. |
| Skull: | The skull of Aletopelta has a short and wide snout with short, forward-oriented horns and numerous small bony protrusions. |
| Teeth : | Aletopelta teeth were small and sharp and were used for grinding up plants. |
| Leg : | Aletopelta had four short, stocky legs |
| Tail: | Aletopelta had a long tail that was used for balance. |
| Main Facts: | Aletopelta is an extinct genus of ankylosaurid dinosaur, which lived during the Early Cretaceous period in what is now the southwestern United States. Ankylosaurids are a group of armored, herbivorous dinosaurs, and Aletopelta is one of the more primitive forms of the group. |
Aletopelta is a genus of early Pleistocene-aged ankylosaurid dinosaur from California, USA. It is one of the oldest and most primitive ankylosaurids, and is represented by a single species, Aletopelta coombsi.
Aletopelta has a skull that is relatively small, measuring about 20 cm in length. The skull is wide and has a rounded snout. The upper jaw has a deep groove and is covered in small scales. The lower jaw is bowed and has a narrow, pointed tip. The teeth are small and closely packed.
The neck is short and the body is heavily armoured. The armour consists of small, oval-shaped plates that are arranged in overlapping rows. These plates are connected by small, flexible bands of connective tissue. The tail is short and is covered in large, oval-shaped plates.
The limbs are short and robust. The feet are wide and are equipped with four toes that end in hooves. The arms are short and have three fingers that end in sharp claws.
The overall body shape is typical of ankylosaurids, with a wide body and short tail. Despite its primitive characteristics, Aletopelta was probably quite capable of defending itself against predators.
Aletopelta dinosaurs were a group of large herbivorous dinosaurs that lived in what is now modern-day North America during the Late Cretaceous period, from around 100 million to 66 million years ago. They were characterized by their bulky bodies, four short legs, and long necks.
The reproductive cycle of Aletopelta dinosaurs is not well understood, as fossilized remains of their eggs and young have not yet been discovered. It is likely that they reproduced in a similar manner to other large herbivorous dinosaurs, such as sauropods. This would involve the female laying a clutch of eggs, which would then be incubated by the male. After hatching, the young would stay with the parents for a period of time before venturing out on their own.
The life cycle of Aletopelta dinosaurs was probably similar to other large herbivorous dinosaurs. They would have grown quickly in their early years, reaching maturity at around five to seven years old. After reaching maturity, they would have been able to reproduce and live for up to 20 years or more.
Like other large herbivores, Aletopelta dinosaurs would have needed to feed on a variety of plants and other vegetation to survive. They would have had to travel long distances to find food and water, and would have relied on their large size and strength to fend off predators. As such, they would have been highly social animals, likely living in small herds or family groups.
Aletopelta dinosaurs were one of the last groups of dinosaurs to go extinct, disappearing from the fossil record approximately 66 million years ago. While the exact cause of their extinction is unknown, it is likely that the combination of climate change, competition from other animals, and the rise of new predators all contributed to their demise.
Aletopelta Aletopelta is an extinct genus of ankylosaurid dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period. It was first discovered in the Las Hoyas fossil site in Spain. It was a small-sized ankylosaurid, measuring around 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) in length. It had a wide, low body, armor plating on its back, and a large club-like tail. Its teeth were small and pointed, indicating that it was an herbivore. Its armor plating was thought to provide protection from predators. Its short legs and wide body allowed it to move quickly and efficiently. Its tail was likely used for defense, as well as for balance while running. Its name comes from the Greek words 'aletos' meaning 'shield' and 'pelta' meaning 'small shield', referring to the shield-like armor plates on its back.
