Spicomellus

Spicomellus is the first and only ankylosaur ever found in Africa, and it is also the oldest ankylosaur known to science.1

Unlike most armoured dinosaurs, Spicomellus had spikes that fused directly to its rib bones. No other animal, living or extinct, has this feature.13

Its spikes were probably covered in keratin, the same substance that makes up your hair and fingernails, which would have made them even longer.1

Spicomellus had a bony 'handle' in its tail, a feature only seen in ankylosaurs that had a tail weapon. This suggests it had a spiked tail club, even though the weapon itself hasn't been found yet.12

Scientists used to think that tail weapons in ankylosaurs evolved only in the Cretaceous Period, but Spicomellus lived much earlier, in the Middle Jurassic. This shows that these features are older than expected.12

Spicomellus had a bony collar with metre-long spikes, which is why its name means 'spiked collar'.1

The spikes on its body may have been used for defence, but scientists think they were also used for display, to attract mates or compete with rivals.12