Dinosaurs: Huayangosaurus
Huayangosaurus was a medium sized plant-eating Dinosaur
that lived during the Triassic period. It was the early ancestor of a group of Dinosaurs
called Stegosaurs. Other members of this group included Tuojiangosaurus,
Kentrosaurus and the more well-known Stegosaurus. Huayangosaurus was one of the
smaller members of this group growing up to 13 feet long (4 m) and weighing
around 1,000 pounds.
Huayangosaurus most distinctive feature was the plates along its neck, shoulders,
back and tail. These
plates became more spike-like along its back and tail, supporting the theory
that Stegosaur plates evolved from spikes. As well as the spikes along its back,
Huayangosaurus also had a long spike above each of its shoulders.
There has been much debate about the function of these spikes/plates. Some scientist
believe that they were used for regulating body temperature whilst others
believe they were used self-defence or attracting mates.
Stegosaurs had very smalls brain for such large Dinosaurs
- roughly the size of a walnut. It was once believed that these brains were too
small to control the Dinosaurs large body and that a second brain was located
near the Dinosaurs hip area. Scientists
now believe that this second larger brain merely held nerves and controlled the
hind legs and tail area.
Huayangosaurus probably lived in family groups and possibly
herds, however there is no conclusive evidence to suggest this.
Huayangosaurus
(Sichuan Lizard)
Pronounced: wah-YANG-o-SAW-rus
Name Means: "Sichuan Lizard"
Length: 13 feet (4 m)
Height: 4 feet (1.3 m)
Weight: 1,000 pounds (450 kilos)
Diet: Herbivore (Low-lying
Plants)
Time: Middle Jurassic - 165 million years ago
Habitat: Open Woodland ?
Fossils Found: China
Tags: How big was Huayangosaurus, Huayangosaurus size, where does Huayangosaurus live, how tall are Huayangosaurus, what does Huayangosaurus mean, Huayangosaurus, Huayangosaurus facts