Lexovisaurus Facts
Pronunciation: LEKS-oh-vy-SORE-us
Name meaning: Lexovii Lizard (named after the ancient Lexovii tribe of Normandy)
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 2m |
| Length | 5m |
| Weight | 1.5 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Middle Jurassic |
| Type | Stegosaur |
| Location | France And England |
Lexovisaurus was a heavily armoured stegosaur that roamed the forests and plains of what is now France and England during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 165 to 162 million years ago. This impressive herbivorous dinosaur measured around 5 metres in length and stood about 2 metres tall at the hip, making it one of the earlier members of the famous stegosaur family.
Like other stegosaurs, Lexovisaurus possessed the characteristic double row of bony plates and spikes running along its back and tail. However, what made this dinosaur particularly distinctive was its impressive shoulder spikes, which projected forwards and could reach lengths of over a metre. These fearsome weapons, combined with the dangerous tail spikes known as a thagomizer, provided excellent defence against predators such as the large theropods of its time.
As a plant-eater, Lexovisaurus would have browsed on ferns, cycads, and conifers that dominated the Jurassic landscape. Its small head housed a tiny brain, and its beak-like mouth was perfectly adapted for cropping vegetation. The dinosaur's front legs were shorter than its back legs, giving it a distinctive sloped profile that helped it reach low-growing plants more easily.
Fossil evidence for Lexovisaurus comes primarily from limb bones and armour fragments found in Middle to Late Jurassic rock formations across Europe, providing valuable insights into the early evolution and diversity of stegosaurs during this fascinating period of Earth's history.
What made Lexovisaurus distinctive?
Lexovisaurus was distinguished by its exceptionally long shoulder spikes that could exceed one metre in length and projected forwards from its shoulders. It also possessed the typical stegosaur features of a double row of plates and spikes along its back and a spiked tail, combined with a distinctively small head relative to its 5-metre body length.
Behaviour
Lexovisaurus likely lived in small herds, using its impressive shoulder spikes and tail weapons for defence against predators. As a low browser, it would have spent much of its time with its head down, using its beak to crop vegetation, while remaining alert for danger from large theropod dinosaurs.
Discovery
Lexovisaurus was first described by Robert Hoffstetter in 1957. The original fossils were discovered at Calvados, Normandy, France.
Lexovisaurus FAQ
What did Lexovisaurus eat?
Lexovisaurus was a herbivore that fed on the plants available during the
Middle Jurassic period, including ferns, cycads, conifers, and other low-growing vegetation. Its beak-like mouth was perfectly designed for cropping and stripping leaves from plants.
How big was Lexovisaurus?
Lexovisaurus measured approximately 5 metres in length and stood about 2 metres tall at the hip. It weighed around 1.5 tonnes, making it a medium-sized member of the stegosaur family.
When did Lexovisaurus live?
Lexovisaurus lived during the
Middle Jurassic period, approximately 165.3 to 161.5 million years ago. This was a time when stegosaurs were beginning to diversify and spread across different continents.
Where was Lexovisaurus found?
Lexovisaurus fossils have been discovered in France and England. The first fossils were found in Calvados, Normandy, France, with additional specimens later discovered in English rock formations of similar age.
How do you pronounce Lexovisaurus?
Lexovisaurus is pronounced 'LEKS-oh-vy-SORE-us'. The name can be broken down into syllables: LEX-o-vi-SAUR-us, with emphasis on the first and last syllables.
What does Lexovisaurus mean?
Lexovisaurus means 'Lexovii Lizard'. It was named after the Lexovii, an ancient Celtic tribe that inhabited the Normandy region of France where the dinosaur's fossils were first discovered.
How fast could Lexovisaurus run?
The running speed of Lexovisaurus is unknown, but like other stegosaurs, it was likely a slow-moving dinosaur. Its heavy armour and body build suggest it relied more on defensive weapons than speed to avoid predators.
What type of dinosaur was Lexovisaurus?
Lexovisaurus was a stegosaur, belonging to the family Stegosauridae. These were heavily armoured, plant-eating dinosaurs characterised by rows of plates and spikes along their backs and distinctive spiked tails.
Was Lexovisaurus related to birds?
Lexovisaurus was not closely related to birds. As an ornithischian dinosaur, it belonged to a different major group from the saurischian dinosaurs that gave rise to birds. However, like all dinosaurs, it shared a common ancestor with birds.
How many Lexovisaurus fossils have been found?
Lexovisaurus is known from relatively fragmentary remains, primarily consisting of limb bones and armour fragments found in France and England. The fossil record is incomplete, which makes it challenging to fully reconstruct this dinosaur's appearance.
