|
Pronunciation: Min-Mee
Diet: herbivore Height: 3 feet Length: 6½ - 10 feet Weight: 800 Pounds (363 kg) Location: Australia Time: Early Cretaceous period, 119 to 113 mya |
Minmi is the most primitive member of the Ankylosauria family. Unlike most ankylosaurs, Minmi had belly armor, and armor over the neck and trunk, but it did not have armor on the skull. It had relatively long legs for its body size, and its hind legs were longer than its front limbs.
A study of preserved gut contents (cololites) indicates that Minmi ate seeds, ferns, and other soft plant materials. It is the first such study of this kind in either ankylosaurs or stegosaurs. The plant material was finely diced, and suggests that Minmi may have cut its food with its serrated cheek teeth. There were no gastroliths (stones swallowed by some dinosaurs for aid in digestion) present, which indicates that Minmi’s teeth were quite efficient at processing food.
Minmi was discovered in 1964 near Minmi Crossing, Queensland.
A study of preserved gut contents (cololites) indicates that Minmi ate seeds, ferns, and other soft plant materials. It is the first such study of this kind in either ankylosaurs or stegosaurs. The plant material was finely diced, and suggests that Minmi may have cut its food with its serrated cheek teeth. There were no gastroliths (stones swallowed by some dinosaurs for aid in digestion) present, which indicates that Minmi’s teeth were quite efficient at processing food.
Minmi was discovered in 1964 near Minmi Crossing, Queensland.