Stegosaurus

Hi there. My name is Stegosaurus. I am a very big dinosaur who lived a long, long time ago. I likely hatched from eggs, but direct evidence is not available. I have a row of big, bony plates all the way down my back. My tail is very special because it has four pointy spikes on the end. My body is big and round, and I walk on four strong legs.

My favorite thing to eat is plants. I love munching on yummy green ferns and other low-growing plants all day long. Munch, munch, munch. The plates on Stegosaurus's back may have helped in thermoregulation by absorbing heat from the sun, but this function is not definitively established. When I get too hot, the plates on Stegosaurus's back may have helped in thermoregulation by releasing excess body heat, but this function is not definitively established. If a big, scary dinosaur like an Allosaurus comes near, I can swing my spiky tail to keep myself safe. Swish, swish, watch out for my spikes.

I lived on Earth a very long time ago, in what you call the Jurassic Period. Even though I am not walking around anymore, you can still learn all about me. People have found my bones and put them together in big museums. While a giant skeleton with plates on its back and a spiky tail is characteristic of Stegosaurus, other dinosaurs, such as Kentrosaurus, also had similar features. I am so happy that you know my story.