Kentrosaurus (Sharp-point lizard) is a medium-sized African dinosaur. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
Kentrosaurus is a member of the Stegosauria dinosaurs, a group of herbivorous quadrupedal dinosaurs identified by the large plates and spikes running along their backs that also contains the well-known Stegosaurus. Kentrosaurus was one of the smaller members of the group, reaching lengths of around 4.5m (15ft) and weighing up to 1.5 tonnes. Most of the dinosaur's length came from its long tail. The plates of Kentrosaurus were quite small and arranged in pairs from the neck down to the mid-back, whilst a series of long spikes, also arranged in pairs, continued down to the tip of its tail. An additional pair of spikes were present on either its shoulders or hips. These spikes were likely used to defend itself from predators.
Like all stegosaurs, Kentrosaurus was a herbivore. Although it mainly ate low-growing ferns and fruit, it may have been able to rear up on its hind legs to reach higher food. Differences in the femurs suggest that Kentrosaurus showed sexual dimorphism. Kentrosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic period in what is now Tanzania, which at the time featured brackish coastal lakes and coniferous inlands.
Zoo Tycoon[]
Kentrosaurus is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Dinosaur Digs expansion pack. It must be researched in order to be adopted. Like all Jurassic animals, it plays a major role in the Jurassic Zoo scenario.
Kentrosaurus is a Coniferous Forest animal. It shares similar requirements to Stegosaurus and Camptosaurus, allowing the three species to be mixed together in a high suitability exhibit.
 Animal Facts
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| In 1915, paleontologist Edwin Hennig discovered a smaller cousin of the Stegosaurus in Tanzania. He named the new dinosaur Kentrosaurus, or "pointed lizard." It is aptly named. This dinosaur has six pairs of upward-pointing bony plates arranged along its neck and back, three pairs of flat spines lower on its back, and five pairs of sharp spikes on its tail.
The purpose of the spikes and plates is still not fully understood. Certainly, they are used for defense. A swing of that spiky tail can convince the most determined predator that easier prey might be found elsewhere. Besides, it is difficult to take a bite out of a meal with so many bony plates. Some scientists think that the Kentrosaurus (and other members of the Stegosaurid family) also use their plates for heat control. By altering the orientation of its plates in relation to the sun, the Kentrosaurus can either collect heat to warm itself on a cold day, or release heat back into the air on a hot day. For a one-ton dinosaur like the Kentrosaurus, being able to cool off on a hot day is very important. Kentrosaurus can grow up to 16 feet in length and weight up to a ton. But its diet (like that of most other herbivorous dinosaurs) tends to consist of low-calorie foods like ferns and cycads. Therefore, the Kentrosaurus must consume a vast amount of food each day to maintain its bulk. It comes as no surprise that the most developed part of its walnut-sized brain is the olfactory bulb. This gives the Kentrosaurus a keen sense of smell and helps it in its search for food. Since these dinosaurs prefer to live in warm climates, typically low-lying river valleys, they eat mainly ferns and other shrubs which grow close to the ground. In a pinch, Kentrosaurus can rear up on its hind legs, using its tail for stability, to reach a tasty morsel that grows farther above the ground. |
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Kentrosaurus is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Extinct Animals expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption when a zoo reaches a rating of 2 stars.
Kentrosaurus is a Wetlands animal and, like all extinct wetlands animals, it requires the Misty Spring in order to be satisfied. Like Stegosaurus, Kentrosaurus uses the pursuit ball, plastic barrel, car tire and scratching post for enrichment. If stressed, it may rampage.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The Kentrosaurus was into heavy armor: It had plates and long spikes along its back and tail, and a spike that protruded from each shoulder, which it used to protect itself from predators. Unlike similar ornamentation found on some other dinosaurs, the Kentrosaurus’s plates and spikes were not connected to its bone structure. This slow-moving dino walked on all four feet, but it could rise up on its hind legs to reach higher vegetation. Rather than the standard claws found on most dinosaurs, the unusual feet of the Kentrosaurus were more like hoofs. |
Gallery[]
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Trivia[]
- In Zoo Tycoon, Kentrosaurus has long spikes on its front legs, one per leg, while in Zoo Tycoon 2 it has the spikes on its hind legs. The placement of these spikes in one or the other on the real animal is a topic of debate.
- In Zoo Tycoon lore, Kentrosaurus was the first dinosaur bought back from extinction, as described in the Dinosaur Digs tutorial.
- Curiously, the Zoo Tycoon 2 Zoopedia for this animal gives it the scientific name of Stegosaurus kentrosaurus. This is unusual, since Kentrosaurus has never been considered a species within the genus Stegosaurus.