18 genera · 120 to 66 million years ago
Pachycephalosaurs
Pachycephalosaurs were two-legged plant-eaters with a thick, domed skull roof, often ringed with bony knobs and spikes. Pachycephalosaurus, the largest, gave the group its name, which means "thick-headed lizard".
They are known almost only from the Cretaceous of North America and Asia, and mostly from skulls, since the rest of the skeleton rarely survived. Whether they butted heads, shoved flanks or used their domes for display is still debated.
- Genera
- 18
- Lived
- 120 to 66 million years ago
- Found in
- 4 countries
- Longest
- Pachycephalosaurus, about 4.5 m (15 ft)

From the field
Famous pachycephalosaurs

Hell Creek Fm. · named 1943
Pachycephalosaurus
4.5 mHerbivoreLate Cretaceous

Judith River Fm. · named 1902
Stegoceras
2.4 mHerbivoreLate Cretaceous

Khuren Dukh Fm. · named 2025
Zavacephale
HerbivoreEarly Cretaceous

Nemegt Fm. · named 1974
Homalocephale
1.5 mHerbivoreLate Cretaceous

Nemegt Fm. · named 1974
Prenocephale
2.4 mHerbivoreLate Cretaceous

Two Medicine Fm. · named 2025
Brontotholus
HerbivoreLate Cretaceous

Hell Creek Fm. · named 2003
Sphaerotholus
HerbivoreLate Cretaceous

Xiaoyan Fm. · named 1977
Wannanosaurus
HerbivoreLate Cretaceous