![\"Artist's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/artists-reconstruction-of-the-spiky-haolong-dongi-credit-fabio-manucci-royal-belgian-institute-of-na.jpeg\")
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Artist\u2019s reconstruction of the spiky Haolong dongi. Credit: Fabio Manucci \/ Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences<\/a><\/p>\n A spiny dragon dinosaur fossil<\/a> has been identified in northeastern China, where scientists uncovered a 125-million-year-old specimen preserved well enough to reveal rare details of its skin. The discovery offers one of the clearest looks to date at what this plant-eating dinosaur may have looked like in life.<\/p>\n Researchers identified the animal as Haolong dongi, a member of the iguanodontian group. The species carried long and short spikes across its body, giving it a porcupine-like appearance. Scientists believe the spikes likely helped protect the dinosaur from predators in its ancient ecosystem<\/a>.<\/p>\n Early details of the \u2018spiny dragon\u2019 dinosaur fossil<\/p>\n An international research team led by China\u2019s Anhui Geological Museum and the Institute of Natural Sciences in Belgium located the fossil in the region\u2019s rich sediment beds. The specimen included large overlapping scales on the tail, along with patches of skin<\/a> that had not been expected.<\/p>\n Experts said the variety and structure of the spikes have never been seen in other dinosaurs. They noted that while defense was probably the main function, the spikes might also have helped the dinosaur sense its surroundings or regulate body temperature.<\/p>\n