Where was Wuerhosaurus discovered?

Wuerhosaurus fossils were discovered in the Tugulu Group of Xinjiang, China. Its remains show that stegosaurs survived longer in Asia than in other parts of the world.

What does the name Wuerhosaurus mean?

The name Wuerhosaurus means 'Wuerho lizard,' named after the city of Wuerho (now Urho) in China, near where its fossils were first found.

When did Wuerhosaurus live?

Wuerhosaurus lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 130 million years ago, long after most other stegosaurs had gone extinct.

What did Wuerhosaurus look like?

Wuerhosaurus had broad, low plates along its back and long defensive spikes on its tail, called a thagomizer. Its plates were flatter than those of earlier stegosaurs like Stegosaurus.

Why is Wuerhosaurus important?

Wuerhosaurus is important because it represents one of the last surviving stegosaurs, showing that this dinosaur group persisted into the Early Cretaceous in Asia after disappearing elsewhere.

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Dinosaurs: Wuerhosaurus (Wuerho Lizard)

Q: What is Wuerhosaurus?

Wuerhosaurus was a plant-eating stegosaurian dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 130 million years ago. It was one of the last known members of the stegosaur family.

Q: How big was Wuerhosaurus?

Wuerhosaurus is estimated to have grown about 7 meters (23 feet) long and weighed around 4 metric tons. Like other stegosaurs, it had a small head, large body, and tail spikes for defense.

Q: What did Wuerhosaurus eat?

Wuerhosaurus was an herbivore that fed on low-lying plants such as ferns and cycads. Its beak and small cheek teeth were adapted for cropping and chewing vegetation.

Last updated: 8th Feb 2025

What is a Wuerhosaurus?

Wuerhosaurus was a remarkable stegosaur dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, about 130 million years ago in what is now China and Mongolia. Famous for its armour of plates and tail spikes, Wuerhosaurus was one of the last known stegosaurs before this group of dinosaurs disappeared. It was well protected from predators and adapted to a changing world!

How big was Wuerhosaurus?

Wuerhosaurus was a medium-sized stegosaur. It grew to about 4–5 metres (13–16 feet) in length and stood around 1.5 metres (5 feet) tall at the hips. Weighing up to 1,000 kilograms (about one tonne), it was hefty but low-slung, with a sturdy build perfect for its environment.

Appearance

Wuerhosaurus had a short neck, a small head, and a robust, low-slung body. Along its back ran two rows of upright plates, which were broad and flat, likely shorter than those of other stegosaurs. At the end of its tail, it had pairs of long, sharp spikes for defence. Its strong, sturdy legs allowed it to move slowly but steadily through its ancient world.

A realistic rendering of a Wuerhosaurus dinosaur in a forest setting. It’s surrounded by tall trees next to a river and the ground is covered with large rocks and ferns.

Wuerhosaurus

Generative AI Notiﬁcation: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.

What did Wuerhosaurus eat?

Wuerhosaurus was a plant-eater (herbivore). Its beak-like mouth and small teeth were ideal for munching tough, low-growing plants like ferns, cycads, and conifers. It depended on the lush vegetation of its Cretaceous home for food.

Where did Wuerhosaurus live?

Fossils of Wuerhosaurus have been found in the Xinjiang region of China and in Mongolia. During the Early Cretaceous Period, these areas were warm and covered with forests and rivers, providing plenty of plants for Wuerhosaurus to eat.

Interesting Facts

Last Stegosaur: Wuerhosaurus is one of the youngest and last surviving stegosaurs.
Broad plates: Its back plates were broader and flatter than those of earlier stegosaurs.
Survived changes: Wuerhosaurus lived during a time when most stegosaurs had disappeared.
First discovery: The first fossils were discovered in China in the 1970s.

A realistic rendering of a Wuerhosaurus dinosaur on a white background.

Image showing a size comparison between an adult Wuerhosaurus dinosaur (right) versus a human adult (left).

Wuerhosaurus Facts

Pronounced: WER-ho-SORE-us

Name Means: "Wuerho Lizard" (named after the Wuerho region in China where it was discovered)

Length: up to 5 m (16 feet)

Height: up to 1.5 m (5 feet) at the hips

Weight: about 1,000 kilograms (one tonne)

Diet: Herbivore (plants)

Time: Early Cretaceous (about 130 million years ago) Fossils Found: Asia (China and Mongolia)

Which family of Dinosaurs did Wuerhosaurus belong to?

Wuerhosaurus was part of the Stegosauridae family, a group of plated dinosaurs famous for their armour and tail spikes. It was one of the last known members of this family before stegosaurs became extinct.

What other dinosaurs lived at the same time as Wuerhosaurus?

During the Early Cretaceous Period, Wuerhosaurus shared its world with other dinosaurs, such as:

Psittacosaurus: A small, beaked herbivore.
Sinornithosaurus: A feathered, meat-eating theropod.
Beipiaosaurus: A feathered herbivore.
Yutyrannus: A large, feathered predator.

Wuerhosaurus FAQ

Q1: What is a Wuerhosaurus?

A1: Wuerhosaurus was a fascinating, early stegosaur dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic Period, about 165 million years ago in what is now China.

Q2: What does Wuerhosaurus mean?

A2: Wuerhosaurus means "Wuerho lizard", named after the Wuerho region in China.

Q3: Which family of dinosaurs did Wuerhosaurus belong to?

A3: Wuerhosaurus was part of the Stegosauridae family, a group of plated dinosaurs famous for their armour and tail spikes which also included Stegosaurus.

Q4: How big were Wuerhosaurus plates and spikes?

A4: Wuerhosaurus plates could be up to 20 cm (8 inches) tall, while its tail spikes could reach up to 60 cm (24 inches) long!

Q5: Was Wuerhosaurus intelligent?

A5: No, like most plant-eating dinosaurs, Wuerhosaurus had a small brain for its body size.

Q6: Where did Wuerhosaurus live?

A6: Wuerhosaurus lived in what is now Xinjiang, China and Mongolia.

Q7: Was Wuerhosaurus fast?

A7: No, Wuerhosaurus was a slow-moving dinosaur.

Q8: Did Wuerhosaurus use its spikes for fighting?

A8: The spikes on Wuerhosaurus’ tail could have been used for defence against predators!

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