Stegouros (SciiFii)

Stegouros major (name meaning "major roofed tail"), also known as the axe-tailed juggernaut, is a species of ankylosaurian dinosaur that originally lived from the Late Cretaceous Dorotea Formation of southern Chile, as an extinct species, Stegouros elengassen, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across North America and South America to help boost biodiversity. Stegouros major is a very small ankylosaur, with the average length of about 1.8–2 metres (5.9–6.6 feet) long, and weighing about 100 kilograms (220 lb). Unlike all other known ankylosaurians, the tail of Stegouros major is short with no more than twenty-six caudal vertebrae, the last twelve of which are covered by seven pairs of large osteoderms, the last five of which again are fused together to form a flat connected structure. Its tail is used primarily for defense against any potential predators and for males combating for mates during the breeding seasons, and a blow from the tail is described as being like getting whacked in the shins by a battle ax. Stegouros major differs from its close relative, Antarctopelta, in its smaller body size, relatively larger neural canal, longer dorsosacral vertebrae, higher and narrower vertebral bodies of the sacral vertebrae, absence of ossified tendons on the tail, teeth with six serrations on the anterior margin instead of seven or eight, and cingula, thickened tooth crown bases, without vertical grooves. Stegouros major differs from Kunbarrasaurus by having a curved instead of straight ulna and radius and a process from the maxilla running towards the lacrimal bone that is narrower and sloping backwards. Like many other ankylosaurians, Stegouros major is a browsing herbivore that primarily feeds on leaves, pine needles, fruits, nuts, pinecones, seeds, ferns, cycads, and horsetails. Stegouros major is generally a solitary animal and prefers to live alone throughout its life except during the breeding seasons. Stegouros major reproduce sexually and are oviparous, that is, lay eggs. Further, the eggs are internally fertilized in the female's body. The females lay the eggs in batches, with each clutch comprising an average of about 39 eggs. The females guards the eggs until they hatch, which can take 42 to 46 days. They will care for their dull brown chicks for up to 18 months until the chicks reaches sexual maturity and become adults. The conservation status of Stegouros major is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the animal's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii