🦖

Triceratops vs. Ankylosaurus Showdown

Jul 22, 2024

Triceratops vs. Ankylosaurus Showdown

Introduction

  • Most armed herbivorous land animal (Triceratops) vs. most armored land animal (Ankylosaurus).
  • This is a hypothetical battle analysis.

Sponsorship

  • Sponsored by Mech Arena.
  • Mech Arena: a mobile game available on Android and iOS.
  • Incentives: forest digital skin, 200 acorns, and 10,000 credits.

Dinosaur Background

  • Triceratops
    • Largest ceratopsian in the Cretaceous period.
    • 30 feet in length, 10 feet tall, weighing up to 11.6 tons.
    • Main weapon: 1,000-pound head with deadly horns.
  • Ankylosaurus
    • Most heavily armored dinosaur in the Cretaceous period.
    • 26 feet in length and 6 feet tall.
    • Armor: layered osteoderms strengthened by collagen fibers.
    • Main weapon: heavy tail club.

Analysis

Intelligence

  • Triceratops: Higher encephalization quotient (EQ) compared to Ankylosaurus. -Brain larger in proportion to body size.
    • Smaller frontal lobe: not capable of complex problem-solving, but good instinctive behaviors.
  • Ankylosaurus: Smaller EQ, heavily armored head with limited brain casing.
    • Instinctive defensive maneuvers and use of club tail.

Defense

  • Triceratops: Large frill providing defensive capability; frill injuries indicate interlocking horn fights.
  • Ankylosaurus: Heavier and more comprehensive armor with osteoderms.
    • Weakness: armor only covers the upper body, vulnerable lower parts.

Locomotion

  • Triceratops: Agile with strong forelimbs, could run up to 15 mph.
  • Ankylosaurus: Less agile, slower with a top speed of 6 mph.
    • Agile hind legs and tail for defensive maneuvers.

Weaponry

  • Triceratops: Deadly horns (36,000 pounds of force) capable of goring and deep injuries.
    • Different species had different horn shapes affecting battle dynamics.
  • Ankylosaurus: Tail club delivering fatal impacts (up to 14,360 newtons).
    • Strong enough to shatter bones and potentially break the skull of an opponent.

Outcome

  • Overall Edge

    • Triceratops: Edge in intelligence and locomotion.
    • Ankylosaurus: Edge in defense.
    • Weaponry: draw, both capable of lethal damage.
  • Likely Winner: Ankylosaurus would win most encounters due to better defense and strategy.

    • Triceratops is unlikely to die but would struggle to exploit Ankylosaurus' weaknesses.
    • Victory for Triceratops could happen by accident, less likely.
    • Ankylosaurus more likely to deal critical blows to Triceratops.

Conclusion

  • Ankylosaurus wins most encounters.
  • Triceratops has potential for victory but lacks cognitive ability to consistently exploit weaknesses.
  • Engage with the audience: invite them to suggest other face-offs and comment.