Lesser-Known Wonders: 30 Fascinating Dinosaurs You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Spicomellus

Africa’s first ankylosaur broke all the rules with spikes fused directly to its ribs—a feature never seen before in any animal. Named in 2021, Spicomellus pushes ankylosaur origins back to the Middle Jurassic period. The Moroccan dinosaur suggests armored dinosaurs evolved earlier than previously thought and took different evolutionary paths across continents. Its unusual defense strategy remains unique among dinosaurs.