Stegosaurus Information

Stegosaurus, a large, slow-moving plant-eater, roamed the Earth during the Late Jurassic period. Known for its distinctive bony plates along its back and a powerful spiked tail, Stegosaurus used its tail to defend against predators like Allosaurus and Ceratosaurus.

Interestingly, these bony plates were embedded in its skin, not attached to its skeleton, which is why they are often found separated in fossil discoveries.

The function of these plates remains a mystery. They might have served as a warning to predators, helped in species recognition, or regulated body temperature. Tiny grooves on the plate surfaces suggest the presence of blood vessels, indicating they could control heat transfer.

Despite its massive body, Stegosaurus had a small head with a brain the size of a plum!