Dinovember 2016, Day 1

This year for Dinovember, I thought instead of trying (and inevitably horribly postponing) a few lengthy round-up posts, I would just do a quick post every day with that day's drawing. Here, naturally, is the first one. 

Alcovasaurus longispinus really lives up to the name 'longispinus'! 

Name: Alcovasaurus longispinus

Meaning: long-spined Alcova reptile [after the quarry where it was found]

Time: Late Jurassic, c 150 million years ago

Place: Wyoming

Size: probably between 5.5-6.5 metres (18-21 feet) long and 2.5-3.5 tonnes (2.8-3.9 tons)

Type of Dinosaur: stegosaurid (plated dinosaur) 

Originally described as a species of Stegosaurus in the early 20th century, in 2016 this dinosaur was given the new genus name Alcovasaurus. It had very long spikes on its tail, one of which was estimated at 99 centimetres (39 inches) long - and this is just the bone core, in life it would've had keratin sheaths that might have extended the length by 30-50%. The base of an even larger spike has also been referred to Alcovasaurus. 

The shape, size, and arrangement of its plates is not known. I based them loosely on Stegosaurus.