Miragaia

Filed under Jurassic dinosaurs · Types of Dinosaurs editorial team

Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Thyreophora · Infraorder: Stegosauria · Family: Stegosauridae (family not firmly confirmed)

Miragaia was a stegosaurian dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period in what is now Portugal. As a member of the Stegosauridae family, it shared the characteristic double row of plates and spines that ran along the backs and tails of its relatives. This herbivorous dinosaur measured approximately 20 feet in length, making it a substantial presence in its ancient ecosystem.

What set Miragaia apart from other stegosaurs was its remarkably long neck. The animal possessed at least seventeen neck vertebrae—more than many long-necked sauropods of comparable body size. Most stegosaurs are typically depicted with relatively short necks, making Miragaia's elongated cervical spine an unusual feature within its family. This extended neck likely allowed Miragaia to reach vegetation across a wider range than its shorter-necked cousins, giving it a feeding advantage in its forested environment.

The dinosaur's name derives from the region in Portugal where it was discovered, honoring both the location and Portugal's significant contribution to Jurassic paleontology. Miragaia thus represents an important addition to the fossil record, demonstrating the diversity of body plans that existed even among closely related dinosaur families.

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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.

Related dinosaurs

Other dinosaurs from the Stegosauridae family.