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Description
In late Cretaceous Patagonian Chile, around 73 million years ago, an adult Stegouros elengassen decides to briefly stop near a tree to rest; it spends much of its life on the move, to find new places to feed and evade predators. There is little vegetation here, but enough to hold the armored beast over for a few hours. But just as it starts to feed, it hears a squeak, followed by a hiss.

It looks up to see an Orretherium tzen, an ancient mammal, a small omnivore. In more lively areas, they must avoid being stepped on by titanic dinosaurs, but here, they are completely alone - or they were, until the Stegouros wandered in. The herbivorous parankylosaurid is approached by a female - a mother. She is part of a family, that also includes her mate and three offspring. Two are behind her, hairless, and not much like their parent in appearance.

The Stegouros means them no harm, but steps away to avoid confrontation. But suddenly, it feels something brush its front leg. It looks down to see a burrow. It is shallow enough for the Stegouros to look into, and even see its bottom. It is empty; whatever brushed its leg must've scampered out. But suddenly, it feels something crawling up its side.

It is the male Orretherium - the father. He curiously inspects this larger newcomer, but suddenly, he realizes he has a visitor. One of his young followed, by jumping onto the Stegouros' rooflike tail, and running up to its back. Continuing its investigation, it eventually walks down the neck, and ends up on the armored herbivore's head. The Stegouros is confused, but still hungry, and decides to eat.

At this point, the female, her mate, and the three youngsters have finally realized the newcomer is harmless, and they are safe around it. They decide to rest outside their burrow, something they usually do only while alone. The Stegouros has gained their trust.

Description
In late Cretaceous Patagonian Chile, around 73 million years ago, an adult Stegouros elengassen decides to briefly stop near a tree to rest; it spends much of its life on the move, to find new places to feed and evade predators. There is little vegetation here, but enough to hold the armored beast over for a few hours. But just as it starts to feed, it hears a squeak, followed by a hiss.

It looks up to see an Orretherium tzen, an ancient mammal, a small omnivore. In more lively areas, they must avoid being stepped on by titanic dinosaurs, but here, they are completely alone - or they were, until the Stegouros wandered in. The herbivorous parankylosaurid is approached by a female - a mother. She is part of a family, that also includes her mate and three offspring. Two are behind her, hairless, and not much like their parent in appearance.

The Stegouros means them no harm, but steps away to avoid confrontation. But suddenly, it feels something brush its front leg. It looks down to see a burrow. It is shallow enough for the Stegouros to look into, and even see its bottom. It is empty; whatever brushed its leg must've scampered out. But suddenly, it feels something crawling up its side.

It is the male Orretherium - the father. He curiously inspects this larger newcomer, but suddenly, he realizes he has a visitor. One of his young followed, by jumping onto the Stegouros' rooflike tail, and running up to its back. Continuing its investigation, it eventually walks down the neck, and ends up on the armored herbivore's head. The Stegouros is confused, but still hungry, and decides to eat.

At this point, the female, her mate, and the three youngsters have finally realized the newcomer is harmless, and they are safe around it. They decide to rest outside their burrow, something they usually do only while alone. The Stegouros has gained their trust.