Pachycephalosaurus
Pak-ee-sef-ah-low-sore-us
Name meaning: Thick-Headed Lizard
Time Period: Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) 70-66 Mya
Locations: Hell Creek
Taxonomy: Ornithischia-Pachycephalosauridae-Pachycephalosaurinae-Pachycephalosaurini
Subspecies: P.wyomingensis
Characteristics ~ ~ ~ ~
Pachycephalosaurus is a household name. Their dome heads have been speculated as a combat and display structure. In social gatherings, Pachycephalosaurus would potentially duel with their skulls, ramming them into rivals' sides. Pachycephalosaurus has two different species named due to the dramatic change during its growth stages. During its Juvenile stage, spikes adorned the top and back of the skull. As it aged, the spikes atop the skull were replaced with a dome and the spikes behind the head will flatten. Having small, rigid teeth, Pachycephalosaurus likely had a diet of shrubbery, seeds, fruits, and nuts.
History & Fossils ~ ~ ~ ~
Media Deptictions ~ ~ ~ ~
