Stegosaurus
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Thyreophora · Infraorder: Stegosauria · Family: Stegosauridae
Stegosaurus is the only plated dinosaur ever found in western North America. The large triangular plates that ran along its back were probably arranged in a double row, and its tail was armed with four long spikes. The plates may have served the purpose of regulating Stegosaurus' internal temperature, dissipating heat when turned from the sun, absorbing heat when faced into the sun. The size of plates may also have made Stegosaurus appear larger to predators and served to deter them from attacking.
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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 Stegosaurus mean?
The name Stegosaurus means “Roof Lizard”. It is pronounced STEG-uh-SAWR-us.
When did Stegosaurus live?
Stegosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic.
Was Stegosaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?
Stegosaurus was a herbivore.
How big was Stegosaurus?
Stegosaurus was about 28 feet (8.5 meters) long, around 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall, weighing up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg).
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Stegosauridae family.
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