Stegosaurus stenops

Overview

This herbivorous dinosaur carried large upright plates along its back and spines on its tail. Stegosaurus stenops is instantly memorable because its back and tail stand out far more than its head.^[1]

Key facts

The back plates lay within the skin rather than attaching directly to the vertebrae. They therefore often became separated from the body in fossils. Changing reconstructions of their positions form an intriguing discovery story.^[1]

Time and place

Its main setting is Late Jurassic North America, around 150 million years ago. Fossils preserved in strata of the present-day USA reveal this herbivorous dinosaur.^[1]

The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.

Size, form and skeleton

The head is small relative to the large body, and rows of tall bony plates rise from the back. Sharp tail-tip spines are another feature. The still-growing Sophie specimen at London’s Natural History Museum is described as approximately 5.6 m long.^[1][2]

Habitat and reproduction

It was a terrestrial plant-eating dinosaur. Tail spines are interpreted as weapons against predators. Picture contemporary carnivores such as Allosaurus to consider the roles of the back plates and tail.^[1]

Fossil discovery

In 2014, the Natural History Museum in London displayed a nearly complete Stegosaurus stenops skeleton. Named Sophie, it provided new material for research on walking, feeding, and body form.^[2]

References

1. Stegosaurus
2. World’s most complete Stegosaurus goes on show
3. Stegosaurus stenops — NHM genus guide
4. Natural History Museum — Ankylosaurus
5. Natural History Museum — Allosaurus
6. National Park Service — Allosaurus fragilis
7. Stegosaurus
8. Gilmore1915 — The forelimb of Allosaurus

Research questions

What functions did the plates serve? Possibilities discussed include regulating body heat and displaying to other individuals. Examining fine grooves and the arrangement of plates together makes these questions more specific.^[1]

Observation

Follow the illustration from the small head to the tall back plates and long tail spines. The striking differences among body regions are part of the pleasure of observing this dinosaur.^[1]