Stegosaurus explained to kids

Stegosaurus is a genus of armored dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, about 155 to 150 million years ago, in what is now western North America. Due to its distinctive tail spikes and plates, Stegosaurus is one of the most recognizable dinosaurs, and has been featured in film, advertising, and stamp collectibles. The genus name, Stegosaurus, means "roof lizard" or "covered lizard", referring to its bony plates. It is one of the largest known stegosaurids, and is estimated to have measured up to 9 meters (30 ft) in length and weighed up to 2.7 metric tons (3 short tons). The most distinctive feature of Stegosaurus is its array of large plates running along its back and sides, and smaller spikes on its tail. The function of these plates and spikes has been a subject of debate among scientists. Some researchers have proposed that they were used primarily for defense against predators, while others have suggested that they may have been used to help regulate the animal's body temperature. The brain of Stegosaurus was small in proportion to its body size, which was relatively typical for dinosaurs. It has been suggested that its small brain may have been a result of the limited intelligence of reptiles in general, or may have been an adaptation to its herbivorous diet, which did not require as much intelligence for foraging as a carnivorous diet would. Stegosaurus was a herbivore, feeding primarily on low-lying plants such as ferns. It is thought to have used its tail spikes and plates as weapons against predators, as well as for defense against rival members of its own species during mating season. Stegosaurus is one of the most popular dinosaurs, and has been featured in a number of films and television shows, such as The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Barney & Friends. It has also been featured in video games, toys, and stamps.