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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 Posters
by AllPosters
Here are some Stegosaurus pictures and posters:
(Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by AllPosters. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website).
Stegosaurus Toys Here are some toys/games from Amazon.com:
Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by Amazon.com. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website.
Schleich Released: 2008-09-15 Toy
 | List Price: $14.99* Lowest New Price: $12.00* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
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: Wearing triangular plates on its back, you can't miss Stegosaurus!Outfitted with interesting and bold attributes, Stegosaurus was an herbivore with plates on its back, spikes on its tail, a small head, and long legs. With seventeen plates and four foot long spikes, this dinosaur was ready to defend itself at any moment. At thirty feet long, Stegosaurus had a walnut-sized brain. In terms of its legs, its hind ones were twice as long as its front ones. Fun Facts: The triangular plates popular among Stegasaurus were almost three feet long. Zoological Name:Stegosaurus Conservation Status: Extinct Primary Habitat: Forest Global Home: North America, Eurasia and Africa Scale: 1:40 |
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Papo Released: 2008-08-21 Toy
 | List Price: $15.99* Lowest New Price: $15.61* Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item.* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Papo Stegosaurus has exquisite details
- A wonderful addition to a dinosaur collection
- Mix and match with other Papo dinosaurs
Product Description: The Papo toy line features beatifully crafted figurines and animals. Papo toys come in a wide variety of colors, all hand painted and bursting with imagination. We carry a wide selection for hours of play. Scale 1:20 True to life modeling. Meticulously hand painted figurines. |
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Playskool Released: 2009-01-15 Toy
 | List Price: $19.99* Lowest New Price: $11.99* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Baby dinosaur hatchling figure comes to ?life? with realistic dino roars and movement
- Soft and snuggly
- He roars like a real dino hatchling
Product Description: Soft and snuggly, this baby dinosaur hatchling figure comes to â??lifeâ?! Pet his back to wake him upâ?"he roars like a real dino hatchling. Even baby dinosaurs get excited, and this one wags his tail to let you know when heâ?TMs happy and his legs and mouth really move. This dino buddy is ready and raring to play! |
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Aurora Toy
 | List Price: $12.99* Lowest New Price: $8.99* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Realistic styling
- Fine plush fabric
- Leading manufacturer of plush
Product Description: This Stegosaurus Dinosaur plush toy will take you back to the late Jurassic! This Stegosaurus dinosaur stuffed animal measures approximately 12" in length. |
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Safari Ltd Toy
 | Lowest New Price: $4.75* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
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: Dinosaurs that children love most in a variety of fiercely action packed poses. Each dinosaur replica is amazingly detailed, hand painted for realism and designed to stimulate the imagination. This Wild Safari® Dino collection has all the favorites including the Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus and many more. All our figures are sculpted by experts which ensures authenticity. By providing educational information in five languages, we encourage children to learn about these ancient extinct creatures that once roamed our earth. All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard your child's health. Safari Ltd takes pride in providing breathtaking, innovative and value priced figures for now over three generations. |
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Lindberg Toy
 | List Price: $12.99* Lowest New Price: $4.15* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Life-like detail
- It is paintable
- Lindberg model quality
Product Description: Assembly and painting required. Life like detail easy to assemble over 7 1/2 inches long when complete. Skill level 2. |
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Lego Released: 2008-05-01 Toy
 | List Price: $44.99* Lowest New Price: $106.95* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
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. |
|
Ganz Released: 2010-05-01 Toy
 | List Price: $14.99* Lowest New Price: $4.68* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Webkinz animals come with a special internet code where your child can interact with it.
- Not recommended for children under 3
Product Description: Webkinz animals come with a special internet code where your child can interact with it. They can name it, make it a home, and even play games. Not recommended for children under 3. NOTE* Due to limited supply; Webkinz orders are limited to 12 pieces per style per customer. Polyester. |
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Crocodile Creek Toy
 | Lowest New Price: $32.99* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - Just The Right Size For Younger Children!
- Wash With Warm Water And Mild Soap
- Made In China
Product Description: Lovingly designed by Crocodile Creek, this wonderful Ladybug Backpack & Lunchbox Combo Pack is a Star Bright Kids Company exclusive! Whimsical designs coupled with high quality materials and craftsmanship make this set a must for younger children. Ages 3+ |
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Bullyland Toys Toy
 | Lowest New Price: $15.95* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: For over 30 years all of your favorite characters have come to life as lovely figurines! BULLY fans, from child to adult collector, in more than 40 countries, play and collect BULLY figurines. 9 3/4""Made in Germany" |
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Stegosaurus Books Here are some books from Amazon.com:
Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by Amazon.com. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website.
By Evelyn Sibley Lampman
Purple House Press Paperback (218 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $12.00* Lowest New Price: $7.21* Lowest Used Price: $4.99* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
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 Salina Yoon
Price Stern Sloan Board book (12 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $4.99* Lowest New Price: $7.90* Lowest Used Price: $7.90* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: Max has a very unusual pet named Sid, who happens to be a stegosaurus. There are some funny challenges to having a dinosaur as a pet—playing hide and seek is hard to do when your friend is bigger than a house! Salina Yoon’s adorable artwork and catchy rhymes, along with the tabbed “spikes” on Sid’s back, make this a perfect choice for young dinosaur fans. |
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By Lynn Sweat
Puffin Paperback (32 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $4.99* Lowest New Price: $6.19* Lowest Used Price: $0.19* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
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* Lowest New Price: $3.68* Lowest Used Price: $2.76* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: Describes the characteristics and habits of the plant-eating dinosaur, as well as theories about why it became extinct. |
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By Gary Jeffrey
PowerKids Press Paperback (32 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $12.30* Lowest New Price: $10.31* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here |
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By Rex Stone
Scholastic Paperbacks Mass Market Paperback (80 pages; 1)
 | List Price: $4.99* Lowest New Price: $1.76* Lowest Used Price: $1.83* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | - ISBN13: 9780545112444
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Product Description:
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 Lois G. Grambling
Scholastic Paperback
| Lowest New Price: $7.00* Lowest Used Price: $24.00* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: book about dianasaurs |
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By Janet Riehecky
Benchmark Books (NY) Library Binding (32 pages; 1)
| List Price: $22.79* Lowest New Price: $22.79* Lowest Used Price: $0.98* Usually ships in 6 to 8 weeks* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here | Product Description: Describes a day in the life of the plant-eating stegosaurus, noting its behavior, environment, and physical appearance. |
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By Dawn Bentley
Soundprints Hardcover
| List Price: $19.95* Lowest New Price: $14.70* Lowest Used Price: $16.73* Usually ships in 24 hours* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here |
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By Evelyn Sibley Lampman
Doubleday Guild BCE Hardcover
| Lowest Used Price: $37.40* *(As of 13:18 Pacific 2 Sep 2010 More Info)
Click Here |
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