FAMILY PACHYCEPHALOSAURIDAE
Pachycephalosaurus lived in the late Cretaceous period that would be 71 million years ago. It is the largest and the last of the boneheads known. Its head measured two feet long and had a tall dome on the top of the head measuring almost 10 inches thick. Also, along the edges of its skull and its snout were bumps and spikes of bone, to attract mates and to drive away the enemies.
Pachycephalosaurus, meaning "thick-headed reptile", probably crashed heads against others of its own kind in contests to establish social standing. Pachycephalosaurus measured almost 5 metres (16.6 feet) long and weighed 900 pounds. Pachycephalosaurus travelled in herds in places that are now known as Wyoming, USA, Alberta Canada and some other North American places. It was first discovered in USA. Like all the others it too fed on plants.
Order: Ornithischia
Sub order: Pachycephalosauria
Family: Pachycephalosauridae
The name 'Stegoceras' means, 'roofed reptile'. Due of their dome-shaped bony heads, they got their Latin name. Stegoceras like other of its family members, was discovered in North America in the early age of this century, these plant-eating dinosaurs had high foreheads and a large thick skull that were made up entirely of thick bone.
Stegoceras was certainly not a dinosaur, which was built to crash heads. Stegoceras grew up to 2 metres (6.6 feet) long, and weighed almost 480 pounds. It had two slender and weak arms, but its hind limbs were surely strong. Stegoceras was a humble plant-eating dinosaur of the late Cretaceous period. Scientists believe Stegoceras used its giant skull or the large crash helmet to butt the heads of other males of its group, this behaviour is a lot like the behaviour of modern mountain goats. Stegoceras roamed the land of North America, Alberta and in Canada travelling in herds about a 78 million years ago.
Order: Ornithischia
Sub order: Pachycephalosauria
Family: Pachycephalosauridae
Stygimoloch, or 'demon from the river Styx', was one of the Pachycephalosauria, but some scientists think it may not have used its head to smash with. Unlike other Pachycephalosaurus, its dome head skull was covered with long spikes and horns that looked dangerous, so it may have been enough for Stygimoloch to display its head gear to establish its social standing.
Stygimoloch living in the Cretaceous period in packs, in Montana USA and other such places, had a beak helping ripping leaves. They were swift biped runners with their back placed at a semi-straight angle.
Order: Ornithischia
Sub order: Pachycephalosauria
Family: Pachycephalosauridae
See: Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis
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