Bullet-proof dinosaurs

An in-depth study of dinosaur armour has revealed an unexpected new level of strength, with some plates having a weave of fibres resembling today’s bulletproof fabrics. The likely strength of such plates makes the dinosaurs studied - ankylosaurs - perhaps the best-protected creatures to have ever stalked the Earth.

Ankylosaurs were massive herbivores that grew up to 10 metres in length during the late Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The coin-sized plates sported by the ankylosaurs fully covered their back, neck, head and even protected their eyes.

“Their whole lifestyle was connected with this armoured living, which improved defence against predators. Other dinosaurs would have to be really hungry to attack an ankylosaur,” says lead researcher Torsten Scheyer at the University of Bonn, Germany.

Like other armoured animals - such as crocodiles and turtles - the bonelike plates were actually derived from skin and called osteoderms. While scientists have been fascinated with dinosaur armour for years, few studies have looked at the microstructure of their constituent minerals and proteins.

Source:New Scientist