Scelidosaurus

During the Early Jurassic, Dorset was covered by a warm tropical sea. Small islands dotted the horizon, home to a diverse and flourishing ecosystem. We know that there was land closeby because we find the fossils of animals and plants that once called these islands home, including pterosaurs, insects and conifer trees. Among these land-dwellers was the Jurassic Coast’s most remarkable dinosaur - Scelidosaurus.

Scelidosaurus are exceptionally rare dinosaurs, but a small number of individuals have been found between Charmouth and Lyme Regis. They were lumbering herbivores covered in defensive armour plating for protection from predators. They lived in small, family herds like many modern grazers. This dinosaur is widely thought to be unique to the Jurassic Coast, but similar fossils recently found in Ireland may also belong to Scelidosaurus!

Confusingly, Scelidosaurus have only been found in marine rocks - layers of sediment that were laid down at the bottom of a shallow sea. If these dinosaurs lived on land, how exactly did this happen? We know that the tropical islands were subject to wet and wild weather conditions. Large storms caused heavy rain and flooding that washed twigs, branches, and perhaps even dinosaurs out to sea. Alternatively, maybe this herd was swimming between two islands in search of food or safety, when they got into difficulty and tragically drowned.

If you wish to see the near-complete Scelidosaurus skeleton discovered by David Sole in Charmouth, then there is a replica on display at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. The real fossil is on display at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.