Spike (a.k.a. Gentle Giant Spike[2] or simply Gentle Spike[3]) is the tritagonist in The Land Before Time and a major character in the Land Before Time sequels and television series. He is a Stegosaurus,[4] which is referred to as a "Spiketail" in the films and TV series. He is most well known for his laconic behavior; only having uttered a couple of words throughout the series' run, and for his large appetite. Spike is raised by main-character Ducky's family, since his family was lost at the time of his birth, and possibly deceased. Best friends with his foster sister, Spike is usually listed in fifth place of the main characters, after Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky and Petrie and before Chomper and Ruby, but is sometimes listed in third place, after Cera and before Ducky. Despite being well received by critics of the films, and being a favorite to director Don Bluth during the production of the original The Land Before Time, the character's cultural impact has been considerably small.