Jurassic World Evolution Wiki
Jurassic World Evolution Wiki
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Jurassic World Evolution Wiki

This is the Polocanthus, and it's covered in armor plates and spikes. Mess with this animal at your own risk.

Polacanthus is a genus of nodosaurid dinosaur in the Jurassic World Evolution series. Originating from Early Cretaceous Europe, Polacanthus is first unlocked by the Hammond Foundation on Isla Pena.

Characteristics

Polacanthus is a genus of herbivorous ankylosaurian (armored) dinosaur that lived in the UK during the Early Cretaceous period, around 125 million years ago. Measuring up to around 7 meters in length, this robust herbivore is covered with armor plates and a row of protruding spikes running down its sides and tail ā€“ in fact, these spikes are the basis for its name, which translates to "Many Spines". With an extra layer of spikes on its shoulders, it also has a thickened layer of bone with osteoderms across its hips. All these adornments help it to protect itself from predators. Although armored like other genera in its family, it lacks the defensive tail spike seen on others. The base genome is grey coloured.

Behaviour

A reclusive animal which doesn't tolerate more than six other dinosaurs in its enclosure, Polacanthus is a shy species that prefers to live alone, in pairs, or groups of three with only a few other species in the same enclosure. They can become stressed quite easily if the enclosure becomes overcrowded.

Paleontology

The first Polacanthus remains were discovered by celebrated paleontologist Reverend William D. Fox on the Isle of Wight, just off the south coast of England in the UK in 1865. The remains consisted of numerous bones including the pelvis, multiple vertebrae and spines and a thighbone. Unfortunately, its remains have so far been rather scattered. Only its lower half and parts of its armour being well preserved. More complete remains of its closest relatives, such as Gastonia and Gargoyleosaurus, gave paleontologists some ideas on how Polacanthus must have looked like. Additionally, more specimens have since been recovered from the same location, giving a much more detailed idea of Polacanthus' appearance and behavior. Estimated to measure between 4 and 5 m (13 and 16 ft) in length and weighing 2 t (4,409 lb) at most, the holotype skeleton was later excavated from the Wessex Formation. The spikes on its osteoderms may have likely offered Polacanthus protection from predators that tried to attack it.

Paleoecology

Roaming near to the coast in England parts of Western Europe, Polacanthus lived between 140 and 99 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period, living alongside many other species of dinosaurs in the Isle of Wight and the English county of Sussex, including more obscure nodosaurs such as Horshamosaurus and Hylaeosaurus. Other species include the fish-eating Baryonyx, the fierce predator Neovenator, as well as ornithopods Hypsilophodon and Iguanodon. The Wessex Formation has revealed a wide variety of flora and fauna, including numerous aquatic creatures. This indicates a coastal environment with waterways and plains.

Available genomes

Fossil icon Dig site Quality Number available
Ankylosaurusfossilicon
Isle of Wight ā˜…
ā˜…ā˜…
ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…
ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…ā˜…
2
6
12
8

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