Ankylosaurs Had Tail Clubs That Could Shatter Bone
Ankylosaurus, the armoured dinosaur, ended its 8-metre body with a massive bony tail club weighing up to 50 kg. Biomechanical modelling shows it could swing this weapon at velocities capable of shattering bone, easily snapping the ankle bones of an attacking T. rex. The club formed from fused vertebrae and skin ossifications. Nodosaurs, closely related ankylosaurs, lacked tail clubs but had long shoulder spikes instead.