Fernbank exhibit explores the world of armor throughout time

Among the ways animals over the millions of years of life on Earth have protected themselves from predators and other threats is the development of tough or hard protective coverings. Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s current exhibit, Armored Animals, explores these animals throughout time and across the globe, offering “an immersive tour through the last 500 million years of armor evolution.”

Visitors are invited to explore how animals that lived millions of years ago as well as those around today have used armor—from the turtle’s shell to the hard scales on a crocodile’s back—to discourage predators. As one exhibit panel notes, “No one wants to work this hard for lunch.”

A panel in the exhibit notes, “Shells were the earliest armor. A rigid layer on the outside of the animal’s body gives it support, much like a human’s internal skeleton supports the rest of the body. This defensive structure first appeared underwater, but shelled animals…soon began living on land.”

Among the armored land animals roaming the ancient world was Scelidosaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur that roamed what is now England during the Jurassic period (208 million to 194 million years ago), the exhibit notes. “This dinosaur had horns along the back edge of its skull and its body was protected by bony spikes and plates—known as osteoderms—embedded in its skin. Scelidosaurus is one of the few armored dinosaurs whose fossils have been found with the armor fully articulated and in its natural position.”

“Over 500 million years of armor evolution what stood the test of time?” a section of the exhibit asks. One answer is the crocodiles and similar reptiles with smooth underbellies, but upper skin protected by thick, rugged armored skin.

“A crocodile’s lookalike, Phytosaurs lived from about 225 to 201 million years ago, spending a lot of time in the water. Like their distant relatives, crocodiles, phytosaurs evolved nostrils, eyes, and ears on the tops of their skulls. This allowed them to remain hidden as they scoped out their next meal at the water’s edge,” a panel notes.

Another panel states, “Mammals evolved bodies and behaviors that are similar to those of other armored animals. Modern mammals have more flexible plates or spines.

These deter predators while allowing the animals to remain quick and flexible.” The exhibit cited hedgehogs and armadillos as examples of such mammals.

Often the word armor evokes images of the European knights who engaged in combat during the Middle Ages. European cultures were not the only ones to create armor.

The exhibit includes examples of armor used in Japan. “Traditional Japanese helmets were bold and ornate…samurai who wore them were a class of people who worked as warriors and guards for the wealthy elite. The quality of a samurai’s armor reflected the social status of the nobleman for whom he worked.”

The exhibit explains how humans looked to the armor found in nature to create their own rigid protection. “Having no natural body armor, humans draw inspiration from the animal world. Spikes, clubs, shells, and joined plates offered protection to animals. Humans then used those forms to create their own defenses for battle and for sports. The armor was more than physical protection, though; it became a symbol of identity. The shape, materials and style could convey where someone was from, their alliances, and their military or social rank. Historically, armor has been important for both its function and its form. What counts as armor today? Bulletproof vests, football helmets, face masks?”

Armor whether occurring in nature or in human items inspired by nature, the exhibit notes, “is unique, extreme, and sometimes bizarre. As life continues to evolve, what will come next?”

Armored Animals will be at Fernbank Museum of Natural History through Jan. 5, 2025. The museum is located at 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta NE. For more information, visit www.fernbankmuseum.org.