Spiky Dinos | National Geographic

TL;DR

Stegosaurs' intimidating weaponry may have been more for display and attracting mates than for defense.

Transcript

Evolution it seems has a strange way of taking plain straightforward parts of the dinosaur with obvious functions and turning them into garish baffling appendages whose purpose is the stuff of mystery and controversy but as always with Evolution there's a method to the madness perhaps nowhere is the dinosaurs ient for turning the straightforward in... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤨 Stegosaurs like Tangasaurus had rows of pointy plates and spikes, but recent research questions their defensive purpose.
• 🧘 The plates were fragile, filled with blood vessels, and poorly positioned for defense against predators.
• 🧑‍🔬 Some scientists propose that the appendages of dinosaurs, including stegosaurs, were primarily for display and attracting mates.
• ❓ The display of appendages is crucial for mating and may have been more important than defense in the evolution of stegosaurs.
• ❓ The purpose of stegosaur appendages may have been temperature regulation rather than defense.
• 😎 The plates could cool the circulation when catching a breeze or warm the body when facing the sun.
• 🍽️ Many stegosaurs survived with tiny plates or no plates at all, suggesting that the armory may have become more about display than protection.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the defensive features of stegosaurs?

Stegosaurs, like Tangasaurus, had rows of pointy plates and spikes on their backs, as well as spikes on their shoulders. These appendages were traditionally believed to be defensive weapons.

Q: Why do some scientists doubt the defensive argument for stegosaur armor?

The placement of the plates and spikes on the stegosaurs' bodies is problematic for defense. Carnivorous dinosaurs could simply bite the stegosaurs on their sides, avoiding the spikes. Additionally, the plates were thin and fragile, filled with blood vessels that would make them easy targets for predators.

Q: If the plates were not for defense, what purpose did they serve?

Some researchers propose that the plates were used for temperature regulation. When arrayed to catch a breeze, they could cool the circulation, while pointing towards the sun would have the opposite effect.

Q: What is the alternative theory regarding the purpose of stegosaur appendages?

Some paleontologists suggest that the various bizarre appendages seen in dinosaurs, including stegosaurs, were primarily for display. These features may have been used to attract mates, intimidate rivals, and signal genetic fitness.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Stegosaurs, such as Tangasaurus, had rows of pointy plates and spikes, giving the impression that they were built for battle.

• Recent research suggests that the placement and fragility of the plates, as well as the presence of blood vessels, may indicate that they were used for temperature regulation rather than defense.

• Some scientists propose that the various appendages of dinosaurs, including stegosaurs, were primarily for display and attracting mates.