Minmi

Minmi was a small armoured dinosaur discovered in Queensland, Australia, dating from the Early Cretaceous around 120 to 112 million years ago. Named after Minmi Crossing where the first specimen was found, it was a low-slung quadruped measuring around three metres in length. Its body was protected by rows of bony scutes along its back and neck, with additional armour shielding its belly. The species name highlights unique horizontal bony processes along its backbone, known as paravertebrae, which may have stiffened its spine during movement. For many years a famous, nearly complete skeleton was referred to Minmi, but in 2015 that specimen was reclassified as Kunbarrasaurus. Minmi was an early branch of southern armoured dinosaurs that browsed on ferns, cycads, and low-growing foliage.

It is named for horizontal bony struts, termed paravertebrae, that reinforced its spinal column.

Where and when

Minmi lived in the Early Cretaceous, from 120 to 112 million years ago (Aptian age). Its remains come from Australia, in the Bungil Formation.

The numbers

Length 2.8 m (estimates run from 2.5 to 3 m). Mass about 300 kg. Hip height about 0.8 m. That is 1.6 human-lengths, or 0.25 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from partial skeleton; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, hip height.

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