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Stegosaurs (STEG-oh-sawrs) are easy to recognize. They all had two rows of bony plates or spikes running along their necks, backs, and tails. They also had sharp spikes on their tails. Some stegosaurs even had spikes that poked out from their shoulders and hips!

Stegosaurus is the best-known stegosaur. It had 17 tall plates. Many, many Stegosaurus fossils have been found.

Scientists once thought stegosaurs’ plates protected the dinosaurs—just as armor protects soldiers. Now they think the plates helped stegosaurs show off for mates or tell each other apart.