Six years ago, in eastern Utah, a 125-million-year-old creature was unearthed by researchers that has finally been given a name.
The fossils found belonged to a herbivore Hippodraco scutodens, or a plant-eating “horse dragon” dinosaur. Researchers found a partial skull and skeleton that they studied extensively to give more insight into the creature.
Researchers have found that the herbivore had a a long, low skull like a horse’s and a mouth filled with shield-shaped teeth, hence its name.
Also revealed recently was the remains of another new dinosaur species found in 2005, not far from the Hippodraco. This dinosaur, labeled the Iguanacolossus fortis, is said to have existed in the same time period as the Hippodraco, but was twice the size. It’s name stands for “ponderous beast” because of its size (30 feet long versus 15 feet long)
Andrew McDonald, a graduate student and study leader of the fossils at the University of Pennsylvania explained that these findings maybe only the beginning of fossils to come! Andrew told sources:
“They’re part of this really interesting window into the early Cretaceous that’s been emerging in western North America during the past two decades…They’re filling in another chapter of what will eventually be a complete and intricate story.”
Amazing! How exciting to uncover so much history!
And check out the artist rendering of the Hippodraco! (above)
Pretty rad, huh?