 A detailed computer analysis of the biomechanics of Stegosaurus 's feeding behavior was performed in 2010 , using two different three @-@ dimensional models of Stegosaurus teeth given realistic physics and properties . Bite force was also calculated using these models and the known skull proportions of the animal , as well as simulated tree branches of different size and hardness . The resultant bite forces calculated for Stegosaurus were 140 @.@ 1 Newton ( N ) , 183 @.@ 7 N , and 275 N ( for anterior , middle and posterior teeth , respectively ) , which means its bite force was less than half that of a Labrador Retriever . Stegosaurus could have easily bitten through smaller green branches , but would have had difficulty with anything over 12 mm in diameter . Stegosaurus , therefore , probably browsed primarily among smaller twigs and foliage , and would have been unable to handle larger plant parts unless the animal was capable of biting much more efficiently than predicted in this study . However , A study published on May 20 , 2016 by Stephen Lautenschlager et al. indicates Stegosaurus ' bite strength was stronger than previously believed . Comparisons were made between it ( represented by a specimen known as " Sophie " from the United Kingdom 's Natural History Museum ) and two other herbivorous dinosaurs ; Erlikosaurus and Plateosaurus to determine if all three had similar bite forces and similar niches . Based on the results of the study , it was revealed that Stegosaurus had a bite similar in strength to that of modern herbivorous mammals , in particular , cattle and sheep . Based on this data , it is likely Stegosaurus also ate woodier , tougher plants such as cycads , perhaps even acting as a means of spreading cycad seeds . The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports . 
