Stegosaurus

- Pronunciation: STEG-uh-SAWR-us
- Translation: Roof Lizard
- Order: Ornithischia
- Suborder: Thyreophora
- Infraorder: Stegosauria
- Family: Stegosauridae
- Height: 14 feet (4.3 meters)
- Weight: 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg)
- Length: 28 feet (8.5 meters)
- Period: Late Jurassic
- Description: Herbivore, Quadrupedal
- Notes: Stegosaurus is the only plated dinosaur ever foundin western North America. The large triangular plates thatran along its back were probably arranged in a double row,and its tail was armed with four long spikes. The plates mayhave served the purpose of regulating Stegosaurus' internal temperature, dissipating heat when turned from the sun, absorbing heat when faced into the sun. The size of plates may also have made Stegosaurus appear larger to predatorsand served to deter them from attacking.