Meaning:

means roofed dinosaur

Size:

up to 9 metres long, 3 metres high

Weight:

up to 3000 kg

Diet:

plants (herbivorous)

When:

150 million years ago (Upper Jurassic)

Where:

North America

• Became extinct before Tyrannosaurus rex appeared on Earth
• Walnut-sized brain
• Teeth covered by horned beak for nipping plants
• Rows of bony plates may have controlled body temperature or helped them recognise other Stegosaurs
• Tail spikes possibly used to strike attackers
• Could probably swing tail about 28 km/h (or 8 metres per second)
• Gastroliths (stomach stones) helped break down poorly-chewed food