Everyone knows the Stegosaurus because of its unique features. There were 17 bony plates on its back and the two pair of spikes on its tail. The real word for those particular tail spikes is thagomizer. There has been a lot of debate regarding this thagomizer because some scientists are claiming that they were just "for looks" as others say it's an obvious weapon of defense. It just so happens that the tail of the dinosaur ossified tendons which made it more flexible. It was a very unique find because most dinosaur tails are known to be stiff as a board based on the fossils.

The stegosaurus plates were in two rows and were alternated in alignment. This is how the stegosaurus got its name, which means "roofed lizard" or "covered lizard". These plates were covered in thorns and used in defense or they were covered with skin and used to control their body temperature. To keep warm it would direct the plates towards the sun or place them into the wind to cool off. Obviously, the stegosaurus is a cold blooded dinosaur because of this.

It had a long, narrow, pointed skull and a toothless beak. The stegosaurus had a very small brain, about the size of a walnut. It seems kind of strange that such a big animal would have the brain the size of a squirrel, but it's true. Some people wonder if they had a second brain somewhere that was used just to control its legs and tail. Their rear legs had three short, wide toes with hooves and were longer and straighter than its front legs which had five short, wide toes with short hooves. They had very strong legs and it could stand up on its hind legs to reach for leaves on low branches.

The Stegosaurus is absolutely thrilling to children. You see them everywhere. You can find them in toys, movies, and jokes.

Just for fun we have a soundclip available for you to hear what a Stegosaurus could've sounded like. Click to the Dinosaur Sounds area to hear it. Please note that the dinosaur sounds are only for entertainment and are not an actual fact.