Re: Carnivore Energetics: Why Are Lions Not As Big As Elephants? .. and why aren't antelopes?

[Roberto Takata <rmtakata@gmail.com>]

On 1/22/07, Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au> wrote:
> In a environment dominated by low bushes with closely packed branches,
> shorter legs = faster animal. They employ more of a snake-like squirm to
> move quickly through dense cover. So the tendancy is still towards a faster
> getaway.

They do not got faster, just become able to climb better. Safer is
more general than faster.

Clams makes better defense against starfish reinforcing their
exoskeleton, not by swimming faster. Stegosaurus do not got swifter,
but heavy weaponed with spikes. Ankylosaurus do with heavy armour.
Butterflies do not outrun spiders, they've developed scales. They do
not fly faster than birds, they got crypt wing colour and shapes or
distasteful flavour. Bombardier beettle -as Darwin learn first hand-
keep predators away with a hot liquid jet, and skunk with a foetid
one. Small mammals and cockroaches get into burrows, cracks and
holes...

[]s,

Roberto Takata