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Re: GREAT WHOPPER HORNED DINOSAURS?



Greg Paul wrote:

 > What is kind of scary is that some of the Ceratopsipes prints are
 > 0.6-0.8 meters across! ... The alternative, that there were much
 > smaller bodied ceratopsids with really big feet is very improbable
 > because large animals tend to be fairly consistent in foot
 > dimensions relative to over all size.

While this is generally true, there *is* at least one systematic
set of exceptions: animals that frequent areas with soft, marshy
soil.  A good modern example is the reedbuck, which has larger hooves
than other comparably sized antelope.

This is certainly a good possibility for the ornithopods, at least.
and perhaps for the ceratopsids.

swf@elsegundoca.ncr.com         sarima@ix.netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.