Field Museum: Evolving Planet (Mesozoic Era)
Thyreophoran dinosaur (cast)
Stegosaurus stenops
Jurassic (206-144 million years ago)
Wyoming
WHY DID STEGOSAURUS HAVE THOSE BONY PLATES ON ITS BACK?
Scientists have two leading theories about the plates' function:
•They might have been for display, attracting potential mates or intimidating rivals (like a male deer's antlers do).
•They might have regulated body temperature. Grooves on the plates are evidence for blood vessels. A rich supply of blood in the plates could have absorbed the sun's heat, warming the body, or released heat in a breeze, cooling the body.
MEET THE ARMORED DINOSAURS, THE THYREOPHORANS
What are thyreophorans?
A group of dinosaurs unique for having rows of bony plates, called osteoderms, on their backs (and sometimes covering other parts of their bodies, too).
What does their name mean?
Thyreophorans are the "shield bearers"; their name comes from the Greek thureos ("shield") and -phoros ("bearing"). Thyreophorans are named for the bony "shields" on their bodies.
When did they live?
From around 200 million years ago (early in the Jurassic Period) to 65 million years ago (the end of the Cretaceous Period).
How big were they?
Thyreophorans ranged from five to 30 feet long.
What did they eat?
Plants.
Field Museum: Evolving Planet (Mesozoic Era)
Thyreophoran dinosaur (cast)
Stegosaurus stenops
Jurassic (206-144 million years ago)
Wyoming
WHY DID STEGOSAURUS HAVE THOSE BONY PLATES ON ITS BACK?
Scientists have two leading theories about the plates' function:
•They might have been for display, attracting potential mates or intimidating rivals (like a male deer's antlers do).
•They might have regulated body temperature. Grooves on the plates are evidence for blood vessels. A rich supply of blood in the plates could have absorbed the sun's heat, warming the body, or released heat in a breeze, cooling the body.
MEET THE ARMORED DINOSAURS, THE THYREOPHORANS
What are thyreophorans?
A group of dinosaurs unique for having rows of bony plates, called osteoderms, on their backs (and sometimes covering other parts of their bodies, too).
What does their name mean?
Thyreophorans are the "shield bearers"; their name comes from the Greek thureos ("shield") and -phoros ("bearing"). Thyreophorans are named for the bony "shields" on their bodies.
When did they live?
From around 200 million years ago (early in the Jurassic Period) to 65 million years ago (the end of the Cretaceous Period).
How big were they?
Thyreophorans ranged from five to 30 feet long.
What did they eat?
Plants.