Iguanodon (Iguanodon bernissartensis) was a large plant-eating dinosaur from the Cretaceous and one of the most historically important dinosaurs ever discovered. It was among the first dinosaurs described by science, helping shape early understanding of what dinosaurs were and how they lived.
Time Period
Iguanodon lived during the Early Cretaceous. In your site filter, this is grouped under Cretaceous. At this time, Europe consisted of islands and coastal plains where large herbivores thrived.
Habitat
Iguanodon fossils are known from several parts of Europe. Famous specimens come from Belgium, where well-preserved skeletons allowed scientists to refine its anatomy. These environments are commonly reconstructed as floodplains and forested regions near rivers and wetlands.
Size and Appearance
Iguanodon reached roughly 9–11 meters in length. It had a strong body, powerful hind legs, and a long tail for balance. One of its most distinctive features is the thumb spike—a large pointed structure on the hand that may have served as a defensive weapon or a tool for interacting with the environment.
Diet and Behavior
As an herbivore, Iguanodon likely fed on leaves, shoots, and other vegetation. It may have moved on all fours while feeding and switched to two-legged movement when running. Many reconstructions suggest it could have lived in groups, which would have helped with protection and migration.
Why Iguanodon Matters
Iguanodon is a key dinosaur for understanding both the history of paleontology and dinosaur evolution. It shows how early ornithopods developed feeding and movement adaptations that later became even more advanced in hadrosaurs.
