Prehistoric Dinosaur with Meter-Long Neck Spikes Discovered

In a remarkable paleontological discovery, scientists have unearthed the remains of Spicomellus, a dinosaur that lived 165 million years ago and is considered one of the "strangest" ever found. Spicomellus, the world's oldest known ankylosaur, was a herbivorous dinosaur known for its heavily armored, tank-like body.

The latest fossils reveal Spicomellus had an extraordinary feature never seen before in any other vertebrate, living or extinct - bony spikes up to 1 meter long projecting from a collar around its neck. These massive spikes, which could have been even longer during the dinosaur's lifetime, would have made Spicomellus an imposing and unique sight.

But the surprises don't end there. The fossils also show Spicomellus had a diverse array of plates and spikes covering its entire body, including huge upward-facing spikes over its hips and a range of long, blade-like spikes down its shoulders. Paleontologists say this level of elaborate armor is unlike anything observed in any other animal.

The discovery of Spicomellus is being hailed as an "incredibly significant" find that is set to transform scientists' understanding of how ankylosaurs evolved. While the armor likely first developed for defensive purposes, the researchers believe it may have later been used by Spicomellus to attract mates and intimidate rivals.