Nodosauridae

Nodosauridae is a family of armored herbivorous ankylosaurian dinosaurs. Its members generally lacked the tail club found in many ankylosaurids and often bore prominent shoulder spikes.

Ankylosauria: Ankylosauria is a group of armored, quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaurs that includes nodosaurids and ankylosaurids. Nodosauridae is one of Ankylosauria’s two major branches.
Edmontonia: Edmontonia is a genus of Late Cretaceous nodosaurid dinosaur known for broad armor and large shoulder spikes. Its conspicuous shoulder spikes illustrate a familiar nodosaurid defense.
Cretaceous: The Cretaceous is the geologic period from about 145 to 66 million years ago, ending with the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. Many well-known nodosaurids lived during this period.
Defense mechanisms in dinosaurs: Defense mechanisms in dinosaurs include anatomical and behavioral features that reduced risk from predators. Nodosaurid armor and spikes are central examples of dinosaur defenses.
Ankylosauridae: Ankylosauridae is a family of armored ankylosaurian dinosaurs, many of which possessed a bony tail club. Its tail clubs contrast with the generally clubless tails of nodosaurids.
Borealopelta: Borealopelta is a Cretaceous nodosaurid dinosaur preserved with exceptionally detailed armor and skin impressions. Its near-complete fossil reveals armor arrangement rarely preserved in other nodosaurids.
Nodosauridae fossil record: The Nodosauridae fossil record consists of fossil remains assigned to the family across several continents and geologic periods. Its uneven distribution shapes estimates of the family’s diversity and range.
Dinosaur herbivory: Dinosaur herbivory is the consumption of plants by dinosaurs, inferred from anatomy, fossils, and ecological evidence. Nodosaurid teeth and jaws help investigate how armored dinosaurs fed.
Osteoderm: An osteoderm is a bony deposit that forms within the skin of an animal. Nodosaurids used extensive osteoderm armor as their defining external protection.
Sauropelta: Sauropelta is an Early Cretaceous nodosaurid dinosaur from North America, recognized by its long shoulder spikes. Its shoulder armor provides a well-known example of nodosaurid defensive anatomy.

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EuoplocephalusCompared with: This related family shows that extensive armor did not always include a tail club.