Iguanodon Skeletons Are the Most Complete of Any Dinosaur

Iguanodon's ability to switch between bipedal and quadrupedal stances was a major evolutionary advantage. It could use its powerful hind legs to move quickly when necessary, while its forelimbs helped with foraging and stability.

''This adaptability makes Iguanodon one of the most versatile dinosaurs from the dinosaur renaissance, when scientists started rethinking how dinosaurs lived and behaved.

The genus Iguanodon gets its name from its iguana tooth-like teeth, which were perfect for munching on plants. As a medium herbivorous dinosaur, Iguanodon likely fed on low-lying vegetation and possibly even generate seeds equal to spreading plant life across its environment. Its unique diet and role in its ecosystem helped shape the landscape for other dinosaurs that shared its habitat.

Let's talk about the Iguanodon's thumb spikes, one of its most iconic features.

These strange, pointed structures were originally thought to be horns when scientists first discovered dinosaur fossils, but later research revealed their true position and function. These spikes may have been used as defensive weapons against predators or even as tools to break open tough plants.

Despite its otherwise passive creature nature, Iguanodon wasn't defenseless. If a predator got too close, those thumb spikes could deliver a nasty surprise. This unique feature made the animal Iguanodon stand out from other dinosaurs, and it's one of the reasons it remains so popular in museum displays and paleontological research.

Some of the best examples of Iguanodon fossils can be seen in places like Great Britain's Natural History Museum, where complete dinosaur skeletons have been reconstructed to give us a better understanding of this incredible creature.

One famous discovery involved a group of Iguanodon skeletons found in a Belgian coal mine in 1878, giving scientists an unprecedented look at how these dinosaurs may have lived and interacted.

These discoveries not only helped establish Iguanodon as a key species in the study of dinosaur fossils, but they also paved the way for understanding how closely related dinosaurs shared similar traits and behaviors. Fossils of albino Iguanodon or unusual specimens even suggest that variations within the species might have existed, further enriching our understanding of this dinosaur’s diversity.

Iguanodon wasn't just any herbivore; it was a major player in its ecosystem. This lethargic bipedal herbivore native to the Early Cretaceous may have contributed to the spread of plants by dispersing seeds, creating a "growth base value increase" for the plant life that supported its environment.

As one of the earliest-discovered dinosaurs, Iguanodon has earned its place in history as a complete dinosaur in more ways than one. Its fossils continue to inform and inspire, reminding us of the incredible diversity and adaptability of life on Earth millions of years ago.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.