# Kentrosaurus (*Kentrosaurus aethiopicus*)

Kentrosaurus was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic forests and floodplains

![Kentrosaurus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Kentrosaurus_aethiopicus_P1060063.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Gunnar Ries Amphibol, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kentrosaurus_aethiopicus_P1060063.jpg)

## Appearance

The Kentrosaurus is a medium-sized dinosaur known for its distinctive double rows of plates and sharp spikes along its back and tail. Its body likely had earthy greens and browns, helping it blend into its ancient forest environment. Long, intimidating shoulder spikes extended out, making it look formidable.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Despite its formidable size, its brain was only about the size of a human walnut.
- Fossils were first discovered in Tanzania, East Africa, over a hundred years ago.
- Its name means "prickle lizard" in ancient Greek, a perfect fit for its spiky body!
- Unlike its cousin Stegosaurus, it had more spikes than plates along its back.

## Special abilities

- **Spiky Shield:** Kentrosaurus has rows of sharp dermal spikes and plates that help them defend against large predators.
- **Tail Whip Defense:** Kentrosaurus can swing its powerful tail, armed with long spikes, to deter any attacking carnivores.
- **Low-Level Grazer:** Kentrosaurus can easily reach low-growing plants because of its short neck and powerful jaws.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 4.5-5.5 m
- **Weight:** 1000-1500 kg
- **Era:** Jurassic
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 150

## Diet & Feeding

Kentrosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur that munched on a variety of low-lying vegetation.

- **Primary Foods:** Ferns, Cycads, Conifer shoots, Mosses, Ground cover plants
- **Foraging Method:** Grazing

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Ancient Shark-Tooth Lizard (*Veterupristisaurus milneri*) — This large theropod was a dominant predator in its ecosystem.
- **Eats:** [Ginkgo](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ginkgo) (*Ginkgo adiantoides*) — Browsed on the leaves and shoots of ancient Ginkgo trees.
- **Symbiotic with:** Forked Lizard (*Dicraeosaurus hansemanni*) — Shared ancient grazing grounds with this long-necked giant.
- **Symbiotic with:** Janensch's Giant (*Janenschia robusta*) — Coexisted and likely shared food resources with this massive sauropod.

## Traits

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Kentrosaurus?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Kentrosaurus?

4.5-5.5 m

### How much does Kentrosaurus weigh?

1000-1500 kg

### What does Kentrosaurus eat?

Kentrosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur that munched on a variety of low-lying vegetation.

### Where is Kentrosaurus usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Kentrosaurus hunt?

Grazing

### What geologic era did Kentrosaurus live in?

Jurassic

### When did Kentrosaurus go extinct?

150

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

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Source: [Kentrosaurus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kentrosaurus)