In the early 19th century, the Iguanodon was discovered, in 1822 to be exact, the English geologist Gideon Mantell found some large fossilized teeth in Sussex. It was one of the first dinosaurs to be scientifically described.
The teeth found looked very similar to those of a modern iguana, but much larger, of course!
That's how they named it Iguanodon, which means “iguana tooth.”
They also found a large spike, which they didn't know what it was until they found more complete skeletons.

🦕 A Cameo in Jurassic Park?

Although the Iguanodon didn't have a starring role in the Jurassic Park movies, it has appeared in other popular dinosaur media.
But now imagine a scene in Jurassic Park where a pack of Iguanodons use their thumb spikes to scare away a pack of Velociraptors. It's an exciting thought, right?

🦕 Social Creatures of the Cretaceous

Iguanodon lived during the early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 million years ago. This herbivorous dinosaur was around 10 metres long and weighed up to five tonnes. One of the most fascinating aspects of Iguanodon is its social behaviour. Fossil evidence suggests that Iguanodons travelled in herds, which provided safety from predators.
This social structure is similar to that of modern herbivores such as elephants and bison and offers insight into the complex lives of these ancient creatures.

 

Its body was robust and covered in durable scales, while its front legs were short but powerful, with an opposable thumb that allowed it to grasp and manipulate objects.

Despite its impressive size, Iguanodon was a relatively slow animal. It could reach speeds of up to 24 kilometers per hour, which was not enough to escape faster predators like the Allosaurus or the Tyrannosaurus Rex. However, its size and ability to defend itself with its front legs made it a formidable opponent.

🦕 From Bipedal to Quadrupedal

Another of the Iguanodon's eye-catching features is its ability to walk on both two legs and four.
Initially thought to be exclusively bipedal, it was later discovered that the Iguanodon could also move on four legs, especially when feeding or moving slowly. Imagine a herd of Iguanodons, effortlessly switching from running on two legs to grazing on all fours, a sight that would be a delight in any Jurassic Park movie.

🦕 Conclusion

The Iguanodon may not be the first dinosaur that comes to mind when thinking of Jurassic Park, but its historical significance and unique features make it a hidden gem in the dinosaur world.

For fans of the Jurassic Park, exploring the history of the Iguanodon is a reminder of the rich diversity of dinosaurs that once roamed our planet.

So the next time you watch Jurassic Park, take a moment to think about the unsung heroes of paleontology like the Iguanodon, who paved the way for our fascination with these prehistoric giants.

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