Name:
Gigantspinosaurus (Greek for "giant spined lizard"); pronounced GEE-gant-SPINE-oh-SORE-us
Habitat:
Woodlands of Asia
Historical Period:
Late Jurassic (160 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 13 feet long and 500 pounds
Diet:
Plants
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Small size; large, paired spines on shoulders
About Gigantspinosaurus:
As impressive as it sounds, Gigantspinosaurus ("giant spined lizard") is what's known among paleontologists as a nomen dubium: there's simply not enough fossil evidence to determine whether a) this was a true stegosaur, or b) if it was a true stegosaur, whether it merits being assigned to its own genus. The most notable feature of Gigantspinosaurus is its two shoulder spikes, which are twice the length of its shoulder blades and longer than any other spikes on its body. Some experts dispute which way these blades faced, up and out or over and back, a matter that probably won't be settled pending further fossil discoveries.
