Everything about Armour Zoology totally explained
Armor (or
armour) in animals is external or superficial protection against attack by predators, formed as part of the body (rather than the behavioural use of protective external objects), usually through the hardening of body tissues, outgrowths or secretions. It has therefore mostly developed in 'prey' species. Armored structures are usually composed of hardened
mineral deposits,
chitin,
bone or
keratin.
Armour is evident on numerous animal species from both current and prehistoric times.
Dinosaurs such as
Ankylosaurus, as well as other
Thyreophora (armored dinosaurs such as
Ankylosauria and
Stegosauria), grew thick plate-like armor on their bodies as well as offensive armor appendages such as the
thagomizer or a
club. The armor took many forms, including
osteoderms, spikes, horns and plates. Other dinosaurs such as
ceratopsian dinosaurs as well as some
sauropods such as
Saltasaurus and
Agustinia, grew armor to defend themselves, although armor in sauropods overall is uncommon.
In modern times, some
molluscs employ the use of
shells as armor and armor is evident in the
chitinous exoskeleton of
arthropods. Fish use armor in the form of
scales, whether 'cosmoid', 'ganoid' or 'placoid' and in some cases
spines, such as on fish such as the
stickleback. The
chalky plate, or
cuttlebone, of
cuttlefish also acts as armor. Most
reptiles have scaly skin which protects them from predators in addition to water retention; the
crocodile's exoskeleton and the shells of the
Chelonia -
tortoises,
turtles and
terrapins.
Numerous
mammals, although not as sturdy as reptilian armor, employ the use of spines and body armor, like the spines of the
Echidna and
spiny anteaters and of
porcupines and
hedgehogs. The bony shell of the
armadillos and the extinct
Glyptodon were very much like Ankylosaurus' armor and modern armadillos curl up into a ball when threatened, making them unexposed due to their armor. Similarly, the
hairy plate-like scales of the
pangolin are employed in the same way and are constructed of the same material used in the offensive armor, the horn, of the
rhinoceros.
Armour, although all used for the sole intent to ward off attackers, can be split into defensive and offensive armor. Examples of offensive armor are
horns,
hooves,
antlers,
claws and
beaks,
clubs and
pincers, as developed in some
mammals,
birds,
reptiles (including dinosaurs, such as the
Dromaeosaurids claw and the
Ceratopsian horn) and
arthropods. Offensive armor is often used in conjunction with defensive armor and in some cases makes an animal almost unassailable.
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