TRex

Started by MGebhart, July 19, 2010, 10:38:11 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

MGebhart

Floating.Point,

Very cool. Thank you.
Marc Gebhart

MGebhart

This will take a bit longer to finish due to adding a greater level of detail.
Marc Gebhart

airflamesred


Dune

Incredibly detailed, Marc. Fantastic.

PabloMack

#49
Quote from: Rich2 on August 31, 2010, 12:21:02 PM
Latest speculation by modern archeologists is that our friend T-Rex was most likely a scavenger rather than a predator.  Note the diminuative forelimbs: not much good for grabbing and holding prey.  Nor are the claws on the feet adapted for ripping flesh as those of a velociraptor are.  That being said, the red head may be appropriate for this guy - the same as a turkey vulture.

Archeologists don't study such things as T. Rex (more like pottery and other "artifacts" made by recent man).  That is the job of Paleontologists (Palaeontologists if you are British). Many theropods with sickle claws were predominantly small pack animals that were smaller than many of their prey. They probably used them to "climb their prey" in much the same way that power linemen climb "telephone poles" using their ankle spikes. Hand claws would have been useful for holding on so they don't fall off.  Their teeth and jaws did most of the damage. Since T. Rex was so large, they wouldn't have been able to climb their prey in this manner and, likewise, would not have needed long hand claws to hold on to keep their balance.  Their enormous jaws and talons would have been enough to dispatch and dismember their prey without the need for arms.  The number of Triceratops remains with healed bone damage matching size and shape of Tyrannosaurus teeth is enough to show that T. rex did actively attack live prey. There is no doubt that they would have eaten suitable carrion if it presented itself. Even lions pirate kills from other animals and take carrion as it offers much less work and risk of injury than the alternative of dispatching fresh prey. There is a strong trend for reduction in usage of the forelimb in all theropods because the theropod neck and jaws are/were so versatile, many didn't have much need for forelimbs.  This lack of need for usage of the forelimb in activities like predation is indeed what freed up the forelimbs for nuptial display, flash colors and flight in birds.

MGebhart

@PabloMack: Good info. Thanks.
Marc Gebhart