In terms of size, the Stegosaurus was large and heavily built. It is distinguished mainly by its unusually large, furrowed spikes with very large bases. Stegosaurus sulcatus, meaning “furrowed roof lizard”, was described by Marsh in 1887 based on a partial skeleton. stenops by the presence of longer hind limbs, proportionately smaller, more pointed plates with wide bases and narrow tips, and by several small, flat, spine-like plates just before the spikes on the tail. Stegosaurus ungulatus can be distinguished from S. Stegosaurus ungulatus, meaning “hoofed roof lizard” was named by Marsh in 1879 from remains recovered at Como Bluff, Wyoming. It had proportionately large, broad plates and rounded tail plate that were arranged alternating in a staggered double row. Stegosaurus stenops, meaning “narrow-faced roof lizard”, was named by Marsh in 1887 and is the best known and most studied Stegosaurus species due to its abundance of fossils, including a near-complete skeleton. Only three are universally recognized: S. Marsh continued to collect and examine new Stegosaurus specimens and named new species. Later on, Marsh realized that they stood vertically, alternately on either side of the spine. Marsh described the first fossil of a Stegosaurus, he concluded that the plates would have lain flat on its back. This supports the idea that the two continents were once connected by temporary land bridges that surfaced during low tide. In 2007, researchers discovered a Stegosaurus fossil in Portugal. It was also found in places such as Utah, Xinjiang (China) and Texas. Fossils from about 80 individuals were discovered in the Morrison Formation, which is centered in Wyoming and Colorado. These first bones became the holotype of Stegosaurus armatus. The first Stegosaurus fossil was found in Colorado, U.S.A., and was named in 1877 by Othniel C. The name ‘Stegosaurus’ comes from the Greek words ‘Stegos’ meaning roof and ‘sauros’ meaning lizard. Key Facts & Information HISTORY & TAXONOMIC DETAILS Stegosaurus prehistoric kingdom download#
See the fact file below for more information on the Stegosaurus or alternatively, you can download our 27-page Stegosaurus worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. It primarily inhabited the western portion of North America and parts of Europe. It lived during the late Jurassic Period, about 150.8 million to 155.7 million years ago. It was the largest and most well-known member of the Stegosauridae family of armored dinosaurs.
The name means “roofed lizard” or “plated lizard’, which was given because of its most prominent feature, the two rows of plates running down its back, along the spine. The Stegosaurus (STEG-oh-SORE-us) dinosaur was first discovered in 1877 by Othniel Charles Marsh during the Great Dinosaur Rush - also known as the Bone Wars.
Download the Stegosaurus Facts & Worksheets.Although similar, Dryosaurus and Othnielosaurus belong to different families, with Dryosaurus being more closely related to Iguanodon and Camptosaurus.ĭryosaurus was discovered in 1894 by Othniel Charles Marsh and its name means "Oak lizard" in reference to its fossils being found in ancient wooded areas. There were several other ornithopods living at the same time as Dryosaurus such as the smaller Othnielosaurus. It is likely it's fast speed is it's only defence against predators. A quick and agile runner with strong legs, it used it's stiff tail as a counterbalance. Dryosaurus fed primarily on low growing vegetation in floodplains. Some scientists speculate that its beak may have possessed cheek pouches alongside 'cheek teeth' used for processing the tough plants in it's environment. Dryosaurus is a small Ornithopod with long neck, stiff tail and long slender legs, however, their arms were relatively short with five fingers on each hand.
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