Armored Dinosaur Terrifies Opponents with Sharp Tail

Scientists have stated that a recently identified armored dinosaur, which inhabited the Patagonia region of Chile, defended itself against predators around 74 million years ago using its pointed tail. The tail of the dinosaur, named "Stygimoloch," resembles a weapon used by Aztec warriors—a wooden stick with sharp blades made of extremely hard stones protruding from its sides, used to inflict devastating injuries on enemies in combat over 500 years ago. Researchers have recently discovered the dinosaur "Stygimoloch," which resided in the Patagonia area of Chile, according to Reuters. The "Stygimoloch" was a quadrupedal herbivore, and its use of the pointed tail exemplifies an arms race during the dinosaur era in the struggle for survival in a perilous world. The "Stygimoloch" lived during the Late Cretaceous in the southernmost part of South America, at a time when the sun was setting on the age of dinosaurs. Compared to other armored dinosaurs, "Stygimoloch" was relatively small, measuring about two meters in length and possessing a beak-like mouth to gather its plant-based diet, while its back and sides were covered with bony structures forming a protective coat or armor. Its tail was completely unique among all dinosaurs, being relatively short with fewer vertebrae compared to other armored dinosaurs. The rear half of the tail contains a paddle-like structure made up of seven pairs of flat bone elements fused together with pointed edges protruding.