Stegosaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 155 to 150 million years ago. Known for its distinctive double row of large, bony plates along its back and sharp tail spikes, called the thagomizer, this armored herbivore could grow up to 30 feet long and weigh over 5 tons. Despite its massive size, Stegosaurus had a relatively small brain compared to its body, but its unique anatomy made it a formidable presence in its prehistoric ecosystem. The function of its plates is still debated—some scientists believe they helped regulate body temperature, while others think they were used for display or defense. Its powerful spiked tail, however, was undoubtedly a deadly weapon against predators like Allosaurus.