stegosaur
Spiky-tailed Jurassic herbivore
A stegosaur is a large herbivorous dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, characterized by a double row of bony plates along its back and spikes on its tail.
The plates may have served for temperature regulation or display, while the tail spikes were likely defensive weapons.
Stegosaurus is the best-known genus, but the term stegosaur covers the broader family of similar dinosaurs.
The museum's stegosaur skeleton draws crowds of schoolchildren.
Study of ancient organisms
- triceratopsThree-horned prehistoric reptile
- ankylosaurTank-like armored dinosaur
- sauropodLarge long-necked dinosaur
- theropodBipedal carnivorous dinosaur group
velociraptor · apatosaurus · archaeopteryx · iguanodon · hadrosaur · ceratopsian · diplodocus · saurischian
Positioned very low
- quadrupedalWalking on four legs
- beakedHaving a bill
- herbivorePlant-only consumer
- hind legsAnimal's back limbs
body plan · vertebrae · skull · teeth · grazing · browsing · posture · gait
Act of unearthing
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- digUnearth by shoveling
quarry · sediment · fossilization · petrified · stratigraphy · specimen · reconstruction · museum
Of the back
- bonyThin, with protruding skeleton
- thermoregulationMaintaining stable internal heat
- displayPresentation for viewing
- dermalOf the skin
arranged · rows · alternating · vascularized · scutes · armor · embedded · upright
paleontology
Study of ancient organisms
- triceratopsThree-horned prehistoric reptile
- ankylosaurTank-like armored dinosaur
- sauropodLarge long-necked dinosaur
theropod · velociraptor · apatosaurus · archaeopteryx · iguanodon · hadrosaur · ceratopsian · diplodocus · saurischian · herbivorous
low-slung
Positioned very low
- quadrupedalWalking on four legs
- beakedHaving a bill
- herbivorePlant-only consumer
hind legs · body plan · vertebrae · skull · teeth · grazing · browsing · posture · gait · massive
excavation
Act of unearthing
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- bonesRigid internal support structure
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
dig · quarry · sediment · fossilization · petrified · stratigraphy · specimen · reconstruction · museum · coprolite
dorsal
Of the back
- bonyThin, with protruding skeleton
- thermoregulationMaintaining stable internal heat
- displayPresentation for viewing
dermal · arranged · rows · alternating · vascularized · scutes · armor · embedded · upright · distinctive
defense
Protection against harm
puncture · lethal · combat · deterrent · Gary Larson · far side · named · pointed · terminal · caudal
- Prehistoric Animalsdinosaur, dinosaurs, T-Rex, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus
- paleontologydinosaurs, fossil, paleontology, fossil record, dinosaur bones
stegosaurTyrannosaurus rex
Large theropod dinosaur species
theropod · Velociraptor · Spinosaurus · carnivore · Giganotosaurus