Re: Mike Hoffmann Questions on Utahraptor

[ornstn@hookup.net (Ronald Orenstein)]

>> each foot was used to slash victims, perhaps while rising up on one foot or 
>> jumping at the prey. Large 10-inch hand claws were also used to tear the 
>> victim. While hunting in packs, could possibly have killed sauropod 
dinosaurs 
>                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I have always wondered about this.  It seems to me much more likely that 
dromaeosaurids would leap into the air and slash out with BOTH feet 
simultaneously.  This avoids the balance problem.  Also it is what birds do, 
including cassowaries which may be the closest thing we have to a raptor 
equivalent today (though they are vegetarians).
--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886 (home)
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