A new armored dinosaur species from the early Jurassic period was discovered in China - CNN

"This is the first early armoured dinosaur to be named from the entire Asian continent and helps to show how the group spread around the world shortly after its origin just a few million years earlier," Barrett said via email.

Yuxisaurus kopchicki likely spanned 6.6 to 9.8 feet (2 to 3 meters) in length and ate low-growing plants like ferns and cycads, he said.

A collection of diverse fossils

A series of bone plates encased the animal, covering its neck, back and limbs, with large spikes scattered on top of the armor, Barrett said.

The spikes served multiple purposes: deflecting the jaws and teeth of most predators while also possibly being a tool for showing off to other members of its own species during territorial or mate disputes, he explained.

A couple modern-day animals that behave similarly are porcupines and hedgehogs, Bi said.

More than 120 bone deposits were retrieved from the dig site, giving the researchers enough material to confirm a new species, he said.

The remains included multiple fragments of a single skeleton, including parts of the armor plates, limbs, jaws and skull.