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DinoOrigin.comPrehistoric Encyclopedia
Taxonomic Rank: Infraorder

Stegosauria Dinosaurs

Quadrupedal herbivores distinguished by two rows of alternating dorsal plates and caudal tail spikes (thagomizers).

Cataloged Stegosauria Members (6 total)
Authoritative scientific paleoart reconstruction of Hesperosaurus (Hesperosaurus mjosi Carpenter et al., 2001) in lateral profileStegosauria
Jurassic PeriodHerbivore

Hesperosaurus

Hesperosaurus mjosi Carpenter et al., 2001

A Late Jurassic stegosaurid from Wyoming featuring wide, oval dorsal plates and a short, deep skull.

6–7 m (19.7–23.0 ft)
1.8–2.8 metric tons (3,968–6,173 lbs)
Authoritative scientific paleoart reconstruction of Huayangosaurus (Huayangosaurus taibaii Dong et al., 1982) in lateral profileStegosauria
Jurassic PeriodHerbivore

Huayangosaurus

Huayangosaurus taibaii Dong et al., 1982

One of the most primitive known stegosaurs, retaining premaxillary teeth and spike-like shoulder armor.

4–4.5 m (13.1–14.8 ft)
0.8–1.2 metric tons (1,764–2,646 lbs)
Authoritative scientific paleoart reconstruction of Kentrosaurus (Kentrosaurus aethiopicus Hennig, 1915) in lateral profileStegosauria
Jurassic PeriodHerbivore

Kentrosaurus

Kentrosaurus aethiopicus Hennig, 1915

A spiky East African stegosaur equipped with dermal plates along its neck and long sharp spikes along its back and hips.

4–5 m (13.1–16.4 ft)
0.7–1.2 metric tons (1,543–2,646 lbs)
Authoritative scientific paleoart reconstruction of Miragaia (Miragaia longicollum Mateus et al., 2009) in lateral profileStegosauria
Jurassic PeriodHerbivore

Miragaia

Miragaia longicollum Mateus et al., 2009

A long-necked European stegosaur from Portugal possessing at least 17 neck vertebrae.

5.5–6.5 m (18.0–21.3 ft)
1.5–2.2 metric tons (3,307–4,850 lbs)
Authoritative scientific paleoart reconstruction of Stegosaurus (Stegosaurus stenops Marsh, 1887) in lateral profileFeatured SpecimenStegosauria
Jurassic PeriodHerbivore

Stegosaurus

Stegosaurus stenops Marsh, 1887

An iconic armored herbivore of the Late Jurassic with two alternating rows of vertical dorsal plates and a four-spiked tail thagomizer.

7–9 m (23.0–29.5 ft)
3.8–5.5 metric tons (8,378–12,125 lbs)
Authoritative scientific paleoart reconstruction of Tuojiangosaurus (Tuojiangosaurus multispinus Dong et al., 1977) in lateral profileStegosauria
Jurassic PeriodHerbivore

Tuojiangosaurus

Tuojiangosaurus multispinus Dong et al., 1977

A large, iconic Late Jurassic Chinese stegosaur with tall pointed plates and sharp tail thagomizers.

6.5–7.2 m (21.3–23.6 ft)
2.0–3.0 metric tons (4,409–6,614 lbs)