A bizarre dinosaur with a tank-like physique, complete with spikes as long as golf clubs, has been discovered in Morocco. The ancient creature, named Spicomellus afer, lived around 165 million years ago during the Jurassic period and is considered one of the oldest known ankylosaur specimens.
The fossil, found near the town of Boulemane, was unlike any other ankylosaur previously discovered. Its body armor consisted of spikes protruding from its neck, ribs, and tail, with some potentially used as a weapon. Researchers were baffled by the unusual anatomy and had to piece together the puzzle from incomplete fossilized bones.
Spicomellus afer would have been around 4 meters long and weighed two tonnes. Its distinctive features include an armoured collar on its neck that is out of proportion to its body, suggesting possible dominance or mating displays rather than purely defensive adaptations.
However, the discovery has also raised concerns about fossil poaching in Morocco. Many of the fossilized bones from the same specimen have been sold online for up to £10,000, with some potentially being lost forever.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/aug/27/oldest-known-ankylosaur-fossil-found-in-morocco