Stegoceras
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Marginocephalia · Infraorder: Pachycephalosauria · Family: Pachycephalosauridae
First discovered in Montana and Alberta, Canada, Stegoceras is the best known of all North American "bone-head"dinosaurs. The relatively large brain of this dinosaur was encasedin a dome of 3 inches (7.6 cm) thick bone divided into two parts. The males had larger and thicker domes than the females. Small spikes fringed the back of the head. Stegoceras males may havebutted competing males for mating territory but it is unlikely that they butted heads as commonly portrayed.
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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 Stegoceras mean?
The name Stegoceras means “Covered horn, or Horny Roof”. It is pronounced steg-OSS-er-us.
When did Stegoceras live?
Stegoceras lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Stegoceras a carnivore or a herbivore?
Stegoceras was a herbivore.
How big was Stegoceras?
Stegoceras was about 6 feet (1.8 meters) long, around 3.5 feet (1.1 meters) tall, weighing up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg).
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Pachycephalosauridae family.
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