edmontonia

Edmontonia is a genus of herbivorous quadrupedal dinosaur belonging to the nodosauridae family. This armored dinosaur lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 to 65 million years ago, in what is now North America. The genus was named in honor of the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where the first fossils were discovered.

Edmontonia is characterized by its broad body, short, sturdy limbs, and extensive armor plating. This armor consisted of osteoderms, which are bony plates embedded in the skin, forming a protective covering over its back and sides. Prominent rows of large, flat, and pointed scutes ran along its flanks, and spikes were present on its shoulders and hips. Its skull was relatively small and triangular, with a beak-like mouth.

Fossils of Edmontonia have been found primarily in the Alberta Dinosaur Provincial Park and the Hell Creek Formation of Montana. These findings indicate that Edmontonia was a terrestrial herbivore, likely feeding on low-lying vegetation such as ferns, shrubs, and cycads. Its robust build and formidable armor suggest it was well-defended against predators like tyrannosaurs. Several species have been described within the genus, including Edmontonia rugosidens and Edmontonia longiceps, differing in the arrangement and size of their osteoderms.