The Stegosaurus (Stegosaurus stenops) is a large, four-legged, herbivorous armoured dinosaur in the Stegosauridae family. Its name means roof lizard. 

It lived about 155-150 million years ago in the Late Jurassic period.

The Stegosaurus is easily recognizable. It had a small head, short neck, and rounded back. It had large knife-shaped, upright plaques along its back and spikes on its tail. It walked on four legs, with its front legs shorter than its hind (back) legs. It had small, triangular, flat teeth.  

It was a herbivore, because it ate plants. It grinds its teeth. 

It could not walk very fast.

It measured about 9 metres (29 feet) in length. 

The Stegosaurus is part of an exhibition called “Evolution on the Road to Enlightenment.” The palaeontologist department of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris held the exhibition of dinosaurs from December 2021 to January 2022 in conjuction with the China Light Festival. 

Location of photographs: National Museum of Natural History, Paris, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM