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Key Information

Pachycephalosaurus

Species Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis
Diet Herbivore
Length Possibly up to 14.8 ft
Height Possibly up to 5 ft
Weight 820 to 990 lb
Timescale Late Cretaceous
Classification Chordata > Ornithischia > Pachycephalosauria

Learning Point

  • With only several skulls found, Pachycephalosaurus was the first of the pachycephalosaurs to be identified, with other types being more complete helping us to understand more of what they may have looked like.

Project

  • Draw a picture of two male Pachycephalosaurus fighting each other.
  • Overview
  • X-Ray
  • Headbutting
A Pachycephalosaurus
Fred Wierum, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A Pachycephalosaurus Skeleton
IJReid, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Two Pachycephalosauruses headbutting
Ryan Steiskal, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Location

Confirmed North America

Fun Facts

  • The name Pachycephalosaurus comes from Greek words meaning “thick-headed lizard“.
  • There has long been a discussion as to whether some of the smaller pachycephalosaurs might be female or juvenile forms of the dinosaur.
  • Their is some evidence that they may have headbutted like rams, but it isn’t certain.
  • The skull plate was very thick, able to resist some impact.

Past Lessons

61 August 7, 2023 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

No Upcoming Lessons