Iguanodon means “iguana tooth”. It is the best-known dinosaur of the iguanodontid family. Several species from Europe, North America, and Asia have been included in the genus Iguanodon. During a taxonomic revision in the 21st century, many of these species were placed into new genera such as Barilium and Hypselospinus. Iguanodon is part of the ornithischian dinosaurs, which are dinosaurs with a bird-like pelvis.
The Iguanodon had five fingers on its hand. Its teeth with slanted surfaces were adapted for grinding food, particularly ferns and conifers. Its tongue was prehensile to grab foliage. A horny thumb, initially mistaken for a nasal horn, helped in finding food but also in defending itself from predators. It lived near the coast in a climate that was warm and humid.
The Iguanodon was a facultative biped; it could either walk on its two hind legs or use all four legs. It could run up to 35 km/h. It was a gregarious animal that lived in large herds.