Facts About STEGOSAURUS

Stegosaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155 to 150 million years ago. It measured up to 30 feet in length and weighed around 9,000 pounds.

The most distinctive feature of Stegosaurus was the row of large bony plates running along its back from neck to tail. These plates were likely used for thermoregulation, display, or defense. At the end of its tail were four sharp spikes, known as a thagomizer, which served as a powerful defensive weapon.

Stegosaurus had a relatively small brain compared to its body size and fed on low-growing plants and shrubs. Its front legs were shorter than its hind legs, giving it a sloped posture. Fossils have been found primarily in the western United States, particularly in Colorado and Wyoming.