But in the world of Cretaceous, other defenders come equipped with tools not only to survive an attack but to defeat an opponent. Ankylosaurus is a herbivore designed to kill. 

 

Hell Creek, Montana. 68 million years ago. Prehistoric plant eaters live every day with a target on their back. To avoid becoming dinner, they rely on specialized evolutionary adaptations, internal armor, advanced designs, and armaments tougher than anything found on animals today. 

 

These are animals that have defenses. 

 

Herbivores do seem to be marvels of engineering.

 

Very dangerous, heavily armed, heavily armored targets.

 

A Triceratops can hold its own against almost any predator. With three horns and a bony shield, even a T-Rex keeps its distance. An Ankylosaurus is completely different. It may be a herbivore, but it has the tools to stop an attacker dead in its tracks.

 

Ankylosaurus was a walking tank—a massively armed and armored animal. 

 

Nine meters long and weighing four tons, Ankylosaurus’s home is the American West.

 

Interesting thing about Ankylosaurus which makes them kind of cool is that their pelvises have been modified so it’s very broad. They have an enormous gut and they were probably engaging in what’s called fermentation digestion and we see in their uh… like cows and horses and what not in. They use bacteria to break down the soilous material.