Stygimoloch Facts
- Name: Stygimoloch (stij-ee-mol-ok) means “thorny devil”
- Size: 3m long
- Food: plants
- Lived: about 70 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period in North America
Stygimoloch’s tough, bony skull protected its brain during its amazing head-butting fights.
Stygimoloch lived in herds and grazed in woodland areas. It had short front legs, but far longer back legs. It also had a lengthy tail which it held level with its body when running. On its head were prominent horns. These were for show and not used as weapons.
Head Butting Contests
Like some types of sheep and deer alive today, Stygimoloch males probably had frequent head-butting contests. The strongest then became leader of the herd.
Stygimoloch males took up their positions, with their necks out and their heads held down. Then they charged, crashing their heads, but not their horns, together. The thick bone on the top ofits head was probably used to protect its brain.
The contest went on until one anima, gave up, and limped away.