Nodosaurus

Nodosaurus
Release Version: Base Game

Classification

DietHerbivore
HabitatTerrestrial
EraLate Cretaceous
FamilyNodosauridae
GenusNodosaurus
Bio GroupArmored Herbivore

Size

Height (m)1.9
Length (m)6.1
Weight (kg)3,900

Rating

Base Appeal66
Appeal (Per $1MM)352.0
Appeal (Per Hectare)353.6
Base Dominance78
Base AppealAppeal (Per $1MM)Appeal (Per Hectare)Base Dominance
Nodosaurus
Median

Stats

Lifespan36 - 71
Resilience130
Attack38
Defence40
Medical Dart Resistance76
Sedative Resistance60
Poison Resistance100

Security

Security Rating1
Threat
Ranger Team
Dinosaur Send / SummonYes

Environmental Needs

Comfort40% , 60% , 90%
Open Space (m2)95048%
Water (m2)1005%
Ground Leaf (m2)95048%

Cohabitation Preferences

Social Group1 - 2
Ideal Population0 - 8
Area Need Growth+80%
Likes
Liked By
Dislikes
Disliked By
Neutral
None
Fight
Hunt
Pack Hunt
Socialize

Behaviors are scripted in game files but are not guaranteed to happen. Dominance, territory, and traits determine whether they would actually fight.

Unlock requirements

Unlocked by retrieving the fossil from one of the following dig sites:

Dig SitesLocationsFossilsRequirements (Logistics)DurationCost
Peay Sandstone Member
North America
USA
Wyoming
fossil_ankylosauria_common
x4
fossil_ankylosauria_uncommon
x2
fossil_ankylosauria_rare
x2
402:30$54,000

Synthesis

Eggs1 - 3
Requirements (Genetics)4
Scientists (Max)3
Duration00:25
Cost$75,000

Incubation

Requirements (Welfare)4
Scientists (Max)3
Duration01:15
Cost$150,000

Genome Trait Chances

Genetic Mods (Max)4
Sociability25%
Antisocial
Habituation9.5%
Docile
Nocturnal2%
Nocturnal
Defence75%
Defensive

Disease

ImmuneNone
SusceptibleNone

Description

Nodosaurus is a genus of herbivorous ankylosaurid notable for the raised armor plates that cover its back – its name translates to ‘knobbed lizard’. Adults can grow to be over 6m in length and weigh nearly four tons, consuming vast quantities of plants and shrubs every day. Its armor plates are essential for protecting Nodosaurus from predators, as its short legs and heavy frame mean that it is unable to reach high speeds to escape.

Discovery

For over a century, everything we knew about Nodosaurus came from a single specimen that was unearthed from the Frontier Formation in Wyoming and first named by celebrated paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh in 1889, However, in 2011 a team of miners made an incredible discovery in Alberta, Canada – a near-complete Nodosaurus skeleton, including armored plates and even skin, that took almost six years to fully excavate.

Paleoecology

Nodosaurus lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, around 100-110m years ago, co-existing with several large carnivores such as Carcharodontosaurus and Spinosaurus that may have preyed on it. Nodosaurus’ teeth were not designed for chewing tough plants, so it is likely that it fed on small, soft plants.