A previously unknown small armored dinosaur was discovered in Argentina. He lived about 100 million years ago

Author:
Anhelina Sheremet
Date:

Paleontologists have announced the discovery of a previously unknown small armored dinosaur discovered in southern Argentina. The creature probably walked upright on its hind legs about 100 million years ago.

This is reported by The Guardian.

The dinosaur of the Cretaceous period was named Yakapil Kanyukura. It is armored, as it was well protected by rows of bony plates along its neck, back and up to its tail. The dinosaur was about 1.5 meters long and weighed only 4-7 kg, like a domestic cat. His fossilized remains were excavated near a dam in Patagonia in the La Buitrera paleontological zone of the Río Negro province.

This is the first such discovery of an armored dinosaur from the Cretaceous period in South America. It is part of the thyreophoran dinosaur group, which is known for its bony dorsal plates and pointed tail.

The leading paleontologist, Sebastian Apestegia, and his colleagues discovered the partial skeleton of Yakapil along with 15 fragments of leaf-shaped teeth similar to those of an iguana.