Dacentrurus
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Thyreophora · Infraorder: Stegosauria · Family: Stegosauridae
Instead of plates, this four-legged, plant-eating dinosaur had two rows of huge spikes running along its back and tail. Dacentrus was discovered in England but fragments of other specimens have been found in France and Portugal.
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Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
What does Dacentrurus mean?
The name Dacentrurus means “Very Sharp Tail”. It is pronounced DAY-sen-TROO-rus.
When did Dacentrurus live?
Dacentrurus lived during the Late Jurassic.
Was Dacentrurus a carnivore or a herbivore?
Dacentrurus was a herbivore.
How big was Dacentrurus?
Dacentrurus was about 15 feet (4.6 meters) long, around 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall.
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Stegosauridae family.
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