| “ | Once again, the landscape is dominated by a huge herd of Iguanodon. This time though it is a larger, European species. | ” |
The European Iguanodon was an iguanodont from the Cretaceous. It was related to the North American Iguanodon.
Physical appearance and biology
The European Iguanodon had the same body plan but was significantly larger than its North American counterpart.
It had large hind legs and small fore legs. They walked in a quadrupedal stance and they ran in a bipedal manner. On its fore legs' feet, it possessed a sharp thumb claw.
It had a long head with a blunt beak. Inside its mouth was a large battery of teeth designed to grind plant matter rather than to just rake the leaves off.
Behaviour and traits
European Iguanodon herds were huge, containing individuals of all ages.
The European Iguanodon was a type of iguanodont dinosaur. They were social animals that lived in vast herds. They lived in herds as a method of protection due to the fact that individually, they had barely any weapons or means of defense. In these large herds, they would constantly migrate to find new growth to feed on.
The European Iguanodon and its relatives were unique as they were the first herbivores to develop back teeth designed to chew its food. This was one of the key factors to the success of the species.
The European Iguanodon as well as its North American relative had a relationship with the nodosaur Polacanthus. This was probably to provide protection for each other.
European Iguanodon were preyed upon by the dromaeosaur Utahraptor. However, its bulk and weight may have helped it shake off its attacker. On the other hand, if there were multiple Utahraptors attacking it at the same time, it would stand little chance.
In Walking with Dinosaurs
European Iguanodon had to plough through lots of vegetation to satisfy their appetites.
104. Giant of the Skies
As the male Ornithocheirus lands in Europe, a large herd of European Iguanodon and Polacanthus were traveling and searching for food. However, as the migrants passed, they were being watched by a pack of Utahraptors.
One female Utahraptor ambushed an individual European Iguanodon. However, without the rest of the pack, the attack was unsuccessful as she was knocked off by a quick U-turn. As the rest of the herd trumpeted at the attacker, she backed down.
The Iguanodon herd later arrived at a lake side where in the background, the male Ornithocheirus rests on his rock. As the herbivores began to drink, the Utahraptors reappeared.
Shortly afterwards, the herd detected the threat and began to retreat. One Iguanodon however, was within the reach of the dromaeosaurs and quickly bolted, with its attacker in hot pursuit. As the rest of the herd scattered, the rest of the Utahraptors jumped onto the sides of the Iguanodon and wrestled. However, the carnivores' weapons were too much for the herbivore and within seconds, it was down. The Utahraptors then fed on the corpse.