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To: SeaLion
I was just watching a program last night that advances the theory that the T-Rex wasn't a predator at all, but more of a scavenger. The theory is based on several concepts, including the fact that the thigh bone is shorter than the leg bone which doesn't make the T-Rex that great of a runner. The legs of the T-Rex were compared to those of the Velociraptor, which consist of a longer thigh bone and a shorter leg bone. This leg type allows the creature to run at great speeds.

Another point made in the program is that T-Rex's arms are so small and don't lend themselves to grabbing and holding a meal. Again, the arms of the T-Rex were compared to that of the Velociraptor. The Paleontologist in the program believes that the worse thing that could happen to a T-Rex would be to fall, because he has no real arms to support his body or help get him back up. He believes that a T-Rex could be seriously hurt from a fall. I'm only half-way through the program, but his concept is something to think about.

I'm also reading "Tyrannosaur Canyon" by Douglas Preston ( Preston & Lincoln Child...Relic, Riptide, Cabinet of Curiosities, etc.). The theory that dinosaurs were feathered critters is used in the book. It's the first book of Preston's that I've read and I must say it's pretty good. I've read many of the books he's done with Child. They're two of my favorite writers.

38 posted on 09/17/2005 5:49:11 AM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway~~John Wayne)
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To: mass55th
He believes that a T-Rex could be seriously hurt from a fall.

LOL. T-Rex tipping!

40 posted on 09/17/2005 5:50:27 AM PDT by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: mass55th
...the theory that the T-Rex wasn't a predator at all... is based on several concepts, including the fact that the thigh bone is shorter than the leg bone which doesn't make the T-Rex that great of a runner.

This, by no means implies that T-Rex was not a predator. Built for speed or not, because of his size, the T-Rex still had a longer stride than many of his contemporaries and could probably still outrun many. Also, the same predator = speed reasoning would sort of imply that rabbits might be predators because they are built for speed.

Another point made in the program is that T-Rex's arms are so small and don't lend themselves to grabbing and holding a meal.

With jaws the size of a T-Rex's, I think that is a moot point. Dogs, wolves don't really have 'grabbing' capability either, but they are certainly predators. It's all in the bite.

64 posted on 09/17/2005 6:49:21 AM PDT by pjd
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To: mass55th
which doesn't make the T-Rex that great of a runner

A predator doesn't have to be a great runner. He just needs to be able to run faster than his intended prey. The larger herbivores were not built for speed

65 posted on 09/17/2005 7:29:12 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Never try to teach a pig to sing -- it wastes your time and it annoys the pig)
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