Introducing Gargoyleosaurus parkpinorum—the spike-covered tank of the Late Jurassic! This low-slung, plant-munching dinosaur lived about 150 million years ago in what is now Wyoming, USA. Measuring around 10 feet long and covered in bony armor from nose to tail, Gargoyleosaurus was one tough customer. Its name means “gargoyle lizard,” and one look at its spiky, knight-like body explains why!

One of the earliest known ankylosaurs, Gargoyleosaurus had a narrow snout for selective snacking and rows of osteoderms (bony plates) embedded in its skin to keep predators at bay. While it didn’t have the classic ankylosaur tail club, it made up for it with shoulder spikes, tough armor, and a solid turtle-like build that made it hard to mess with. Think of it as a prehistoric tank with a salad-only diet.