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Re: Dino reputation 'is exaggerated'
An unconscious machine kicking out blindly is one thing -- but an
experienced living hunter that has honed its skills to find the right
balance between aim, force and timing would in my opinion be a much more
dangerous kettle of fish (okay, so I mixed some metaphors there...)
There's more to being a successful predator than sheer brute force. This
experiment sounds like the difference between a chimp smashing stones
together to make crude tools, and an Aztec punching out prismatic blades
from a block of volcanic glass (which were sharp and even enough for
conquistadors to be shaved with). Never underestimate a modicum of
finesse. :)
I've always thought that the shape of dromaeosaur sickle-claws was very
similar to the beaks of some predatory birds (especially owls). Perhaps
they were used as tearing implements to dismember a carcass, rather than
killing implements? Either way, making more use of the feet would mean
less for the forelimbs to do, lessening the likelyhood of damaging
precious 'wing' feathers.
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Dann Pigdon
GIS / Archaeologist http://heretichides.soffiles.com
Melbourne, Australia http://www.geocities.com/dannsdinosaurs
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