Paleontologists have discovered a unique set of Ankylosaurus footprints in western Canada, specifically in Tumbler Ridge. This marks the first identification of footprints from the Ankylosaurus antirosaurus species, known for their heavy armor and club-like tails designed for defense against predators. While previous Ankylosaurus tracks had four toes on the hind legs, the new findings also show distinct features, including three toes indicative of the antirosaurus. The footprints were found in a delta environment and date back between 94-100 million years ago.
Dr. Victoria Arbor from the Royal BC Museum commented on the significance of the discovery, stating that the dinosaurs who made the footprints were likely to be about 5-6 meters long. The study raises the possibility that other previously classified dinosaur tracks may also belong to antirosaurs. This discovery adds depth to the understanding of both Nodosaurus and Ankylosaurus coexisting in the same area without one replacing the other. These findings highlight the importance of Tumbler Ridge in the study of dinosaurs and are published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
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