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Stegosaurus
Click here for more Stegosaurus Pictures
Stegosaurus was a herbivore (plant-eater) that lived in North
America and
Europe
(the first European specimen was found in
Portugal in
2006)
during the
late Jurassic period,
about 155 to 144 million years ago.
The creature's name, which was chosen by
Othniel C. Marsh
in 1877, means "roof lizard".
Stegosaurus was up to 30 feet (9.1 meters) long. An average Stegosaurus was
around 20 feet (6.1 meters) long, and weighed 2 tons.
Stegosaurus had much longer hind legs than forelegs, and very strong muscles
around its hips. So, although Stegosaurus walked on all fours, it is
thought likely that the animal could have lifted
its forelegs off the ground to eat from the branches of trees.
Stegosaurus bony plates on its back that could have been used for
protection, and possibly temperature regulation.
The largest of the plates were over 2
feet (60 centimeters) high.
Nobody is absolutely sure how the plates on the back were arranged, because
the plates have never been found still attached to the skeleton.
Some scientist believe the plates may have lay flat on the skin. However,
most scientists believe the plates stood erect on the back, and were arranged
in pairs or a zigzag pattern.
Stegosaurus also had pairs of spikes on its
tail which were about 3 feet (0.9 meters) long. There were several species
of Stegosaurus, and the number of tail spikes varied between Stegosaurus
species.
One unusual feature of Stegosaurus, which was first noted by
Othniel C. Marsh,
is that the animal had a large canal in the hip region of the spinal
chord, that could have accommodated a structure about 20 times larger than
the creature's brain. There has been a lot of speculation about this region,
including the idea that dinosaurs like Stegosaurus had a second "brain"
which controlled reflexes in the rear of the animal. A more recent idea
about this, is that canal accommodated a glycogen body, a structure which
is also found in some living birds.
Stegosaurus has been designated the official state fossil of
Colorado,
since
1982.
Stegosaurus was a herbivore (plant-eater) that lived from 155 to 144 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Stegosaurus Facts
Here is a summary of some of the key facts about Stegosaurus:
- Stegosaurus was a genus of dinosaur.
- "Stegosaurus" means "roof lizard". This name was chosen by Othniel C. Marsh in 1877.
- Stegosaurus was a member of the Ornithischia ("bird-hipped") order of dinosaurs. What this means, is that although Stegosaurus was not closely related to birds, it did have similarly shaped pelvic bones.
- Stegosaurus lived between about 155 million years ago and 144 million years ago, during the Jurassic period.
- Stegosaurus lived in North America and Europe.
- Stegosaurus was a herbivore (plant-eater).
- Stegosaurus was typically about 20 feet (6.1 meters) long, but some animals grew up to 30 feet (9.1 meters) long.
- Stegosaurus weighed about 2 tons.
Stegosaurus Pictures and Postersby AllPosters
Stegosaurus Toys
Schleich
Released: 2008-09-15
Toy
 | List Price: $13.99
Lowest New Price: $7.64
Usually ships in 24 hours
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Click Here | - True to life modeling
- Made in compliance with all safety regulations
- With the Schleich-S tag, symbol for the highest quality
Product Description:
Handpainted dinosaur from Schleich's Replica Saurus collection. Add this great dinosaur to your collection today! Scale: 1:40. Size: 7.8 x 3.1 x 4.3 inches |
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LEGO
Released: 2008-05-01
Toy
 | List Price: $44.99
Lowest New Price: $44.43
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Click Here | - Includes instructions for rebuilding into a hungry T-Rex or a soaring Pterodactyl
- Includes a light-up brick
- Contains 731 pieces
Product Description:
Here comes the plate-backed Stegosaurus! This Jurassic dinosaur may have eaten plants, but it was no pushover... just check out the four long spikes on its lashing tail. The Stegosaurus is fully articulated with eyes that really light up. Includes instructions for rebuilding into a hungry T-Rex or a soaring Pterodactyl. Features movable mouth, tail, head and body and comes with a light-up brick. Batteries included. Measures 17"L x 8"H. 731 pieces. |
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Papo
Released: 2008-08-21
Toy
 | List Price: $15.99
Lowest New Price: $13.49
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Click Here | - Papo Stegosaurus has exquisite details
- A wonderful addition to a dinosaur collection
- Mix and match with other Papo dinosaurs
Product Description:
Our Stegosaurus is a high quality, hand painted figure that inspires creative and imaginative play. Age 2 and up. |
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Russ
Toy
 | Lowest New Price: $12.18
(As of 14:25 Pacific 3 Jul 2009 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description:
Plush Stegosaurus Dino 16" |
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Russ Beerie
Toy
 | Lowest New Price: $10.65
(As of 14:25 Pacific 3 Jul 2009 More Info)
Click Here | - Perfect Gift for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages!
- Encourages Creativity and Imagination
Product Description:
Made of Caress, this soft plush would love to rule the heart of someone you love! (Surface Washable). Collect all Four: Triceratops, Stegosaurus, Brachiosaurus and T-Rex and complete this delightful dinosaur set. |
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Safari
Toy
 | Lowest New Price: $4.34
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Click Here | - The Wild Safari hand-painted, authentic, and affordable animal replicas stimulate creative play.
- A color-coded 5-language educational hang tag is included with each replica.
Product Description:
This child friendly yellow and brown Stegosaurus replica stimulates the imagination and creates a curiosity of the world we live in. Measures 6.75" L x 4" H (18 x 10 cm). Ages: 3 + Manufacturer: Safari Ltd. |
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Safari
Toy
 | List Price: $10.00
Lowest New Price: $5.19
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Click Here | - These award winning dinosaur replicas are authenticated by the paleontologists of the Carnegie museum of natural history, who houses the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world
- The scale of these dinos are 1:20 -1:40
- All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard your child's health
Product Description:
Part of the Safari Ltd. Carnegie Museum Dinosaur collection, replicas researched and authenticated by the paleontologists of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each is either 1:20 or 1:40 scale. This Stegosaurus replica measures 6 inches long, 3.5 inches high. Scale 1:40. This is the discontinued coloration: fawn with brown markings. |
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Bullyland
green Toy
 | Lowest New Price: $18.99
(As of 14:25 Pacific 3 Jul 2009 More Info)
Click Here | - Museum Line dinosaur reproductions are authenticated by the Stuttgart Natural History Museum
- Made on a 1:30 Scale
- For ages 4 years and older
Product Description:
Bullyland Museum Line figurines are designed in Germany in collaboration with the Stuttgart Natural History Museum ensuring a true to life look! Collect a full set of real dinosaurs. All Bullyland figurines and play sets are created to support the development of children's skills and imagination while having fun in a safe environment. We are proud of our extensive research and development on the dangers of PVC. We use a synthetic rubber material in order to achieve the highest possible safety standards and have banned the use of PVC in our products. |
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Fisher-Price
Released: 2008-01-01
Toy
 | List Price: $11.99
Lowest New Price: $16.94
(As of 14:25 Pacific 3 Jul 2009 More Info)
Click Here | - Imagine a tail so mighty it could knock you down
- It's a new adventure every time you play
- Each sold separately and subject to availability
|
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Bullyland
green Toy
 | Lowest New Price: $26.19
(As of 14:25 Pacific 3 Jul 2009 More Info)
Click Here | - Original Bullyland Soft Play figurines are soft - they feel like the real thing
- Made on a 1:8 Scale
- For ages 3 years and older
Product Description:
Bullyland Soft Play figurines are made to feel like the real thing with realistic handpainted details. They are great for pretend play and wipe clean with a damp cloth. All Bullyland figurines and play sets are created to support the development of children's skills and imagination while having fun in a safe environment. We are proud of our extensive research and development on the dangers of PVC. We use a synthetic rubber material in order to achieve the highest possible safety standards and have banned the use of PVC in our products. |
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Stegosaurus Books
By Evelyn Sibley Lampman
Purple House Press
Paperback (218 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $12.00
Lowest New Price: $7.26
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Click Here | Product Description:
Suppose you were hunting around in the desert for a fossil and instead you found a real (and very large) dinosaur, genus Stegosaurus. Joan and Joey Brown did! Only nobody would believe they had found one, which was just as well because George (as they called him) was very shy. He was a loyal friend, though, and he did his best to help the twins with their schemes to make money to finance their mother's dry little ranch on Cricket Creek. George ate sagebrush, looked for fossils, and fought an airplane (which he thought was a Pteranodon) with faithful enthusiasm, but his nut-sized brain often made him more hindrance than help. Especially when he went after the bank robber! Mrs. Lampman has told her hilarious story so convincingly that you'll be looking for dinosaurs around every mesa. And who knows? Maybe you'll find one! |
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By Lois G. Grambling
Troll Communications
Paperback (32 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $5.95
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Click Here | Product Description:
A little boy uses every argument he can think of--from the reasonable to the zany--to persuade his mother to let him have a stegosaurus. By the author of An Alligator Named . . . Alligator. |
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By Rex Stone
Scholastic Paperbacks
Mass Market Paperback (80 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $4.99
Lowest New Price: $3.99
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When the boys return to Dino World this time, everything is different. The trees, the landscape, it's almost like they've gone to another place. But that's not it-it's another time! Tom and Jamie have been transported to the Jurassic period, which means they'll have all new dinosaurs to meet. But their exploration is cut short when a sudden downpour separates a stegosaurus egg from its mother-and plops it right into the boys' laps. And when the "steg egg" starts to hatch, Jamie and Tom know they're on the clock to get the baby dino back to its mother. If only they could find her! |
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By Lynn Sweat
Puffin
Paperback (32 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $4.99
Lowest New Price: $49.02
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Click Here | Product Description:
The Age of Dinosaurs can be pretty frightening for the smallest Stegosaurus. He is so small that an Allosaurus could squash him with one foot. The smallest Stegosaurus wants to be a big, strong dinosaur like his parents, but it seems the whole world is bigger than he is! Full color. |
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By Elaine Landau
Children's Press(CT)
Paperback (47 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $6.95
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Describes the characteristics and habits of the plant-eating dinosaur, as well as theories about why it became extinct. |
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By DK Publishing
DK Preschool
Board book (12 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $6.95
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Click Here |
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By Dawn Bentley
Soundprints
Paperback (32 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $2.95
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Stegosaurus wakes from a deep sleep. She looks at her nest filled with several large eggs. When the eggs hatch, Stegosaurus will have babies to look after, but for now, she must find food for herself. Includes a tear-out poster and read-along CD. |
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By Jennifer Glossop
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Paperback (32 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $14.95
Lowest New Price: $1.21
Lowest Used Price: $0.22
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Click Here | Product Description:
The fourth dinosaur kit in the best-selling series includes a scientifically accurate, "fossilized," opaque plastic egg, filled with bones ready to assemble, an informative instruction booklet, and a color poster of the dinosaur. Original. |
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Scholastic
Unknown Binding
| Lowest Used Price: $7.50
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Click Here |
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By Evelyn Sibley Lampman
Scholastic
Paperback
| Lowest Used Price: $3.30
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Click Here |
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