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WANNANOSAURUS
ANATOMY
Wannanosaurus (named after the Chinese province where its very incomplete skeleton was found) was a tiny homalocephalid dinosaur about 2 feet (60 cm) long. It was a very primitive Pachycephalosaur (related to Pachycephalosaurus and Stegoceras, other dinosaurs with thick skulls that probably engaged in head-butting activities). The homalocephalids had thick, but flat-topped skulls. It was an herbivore that walked on two strong legs, had short arms, a stiff tail, and a thick-set body. (Its resembles Pachycephalosaurus, but it was much smaller and its head was much flatter.)
WANNANOSAURUS BEHAVIOR
Wannanosaurus may have been a herding dinosaur that lived in small groups in coastal and upland regions. Running was probably the first line of self-defense. Wannanosaurus' thick skull may have been used for ramming rivals during mating and dominance combat, for attracting mates, and as a last-ditch self-defense against predators.
CLASSIFICATION
Wannanosaurus was an Ornithischian dinosaur, the order of bird-hipped, herbivorous dinosaurs. It was a member of the group Marginocephalia, and was the largest and last member of the group Pachycephalosauria (herding, thick-skulled herbivores which includes Stegoceras, Pachycephalosaurus, Wannanosaurus, and others) and the family Homalocephalidae (with thick, flat-topped skulls). Wannanosaurus may be the most primitive pachycephalosaur.
WHEN WANNANOSAURUS LIVED
Wannanosaurus lived during the late Cretaceous period, about 83 to 73 million years ago.
DIET
Wannanosaurus was an herbivore, eating soft plants, fruit, and seeds. Its teeth were small and sharp.
LOCOMOTION
Wannanosaurus walked on two legs, and was not a very fast dinosaur. It may have gone on all fours to forage for low-lying plants.
DISCOVERY OF FOSSILS
Wannanosaurus was named by the Chinese paleontologist Hou in 1977. Fossils have been found in China.
 Information Sheets About Dinosaurs
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