The Stegosaurus

The Stegosaurus has a long (145 million years) and interesting (State Fossil of Colorado) history.

One particularly interesting debate surrounding the stegosaurus is the discovery of what might be called a ‘second brain’.  This debate centers around a cavity located in the hip region of the stegosaurus and other sauropods that could conceivably contain an organ twenty times larger than the brain of the stegosaurus.  It has been suggested that this area could house a second brain that would control the tail and rear portion of the animal.  

Although an interesting suggestion it is more likely that the area was used as a glycogen deposit.  This excess ‘sugar’ like chemical would be ‘injected’ into the animal’s nervous system when in danger or when it needed an additional boost of energy.  Modern day birds have a very similar system.  

There is also, ALWAYS, the possibility that this area contained a psychic communication link between themselves and the rest of their herd, or possibly all other living stegosaurus.  You will not find this theory in any science book.

Many people will also claim that the stegosaurus tail spikes were used primarily in display and not for combat.  There is significant proof that the spikes on the tail of the stegosaurus, know as thagomizer, were definitely a combat weapon.

Not only would a stegosaurus be able to position its body and tail deftly in the case of an attack, there is also fossil records of wounds on carnivores that fit perfectly with the trauma tail spikes would inflict.

There is also the possibility that the thagomizer were actually used as an eating utensil, and stegosaurus all got into a giant circle and fed the stegosaurus behind them as the one in front fed them with their tail.  This theory supports the idea that the stegosaurus had a second brain in their ass.

But then again, no one knows for sure.

 

My painting of a stegosaurus