Stegosaurus

(STEG-uh-sawr-us)

Stego = roofed
Saurus = lizard

Size: 11 feet tall, 25 feet long
Weight: About 2 tons
Range: Western North America
Habitat: Woodlands
Diet: Soft plants, close to the ground
Time period: Late Jurassic

The unique-looking Stegosaurus is a familiar species, thanks to the large, pointed plates on its back. It's also distinctive for having an unusually small head on its 4,000-pound body... about the size of an Asian elephant.

Armor All... Not!

There are various theories about the purpose of Stegosaurus' back plates. If they were for defense, the shields only protected against attacks from above. But they at least made him look less appetizing.

Early Solar Panels?

The back plates were not solid bone, and may have housed blood vessels. If so, they could have served to collect the sun's warmth or even change colors (like humans blushing) to frighten predators or attract mates.

A Four-Point Shot

The Stegosaurus' best defense was probably swinging its tail. Tipped with four long (up to 3-foot) pointed spikes, the tail could inflict serious pain on attackers who weren't scared off by the plates.

Back-to-Back Similarities

With its small head, protective upper armor and slow speed on land, a Stegosaurus would be much like a giant Galapagos Tortoise of today.