Re: dinosaurs in trees

[Scott <HORTON@BCRSSU.AGR.CA>]

I know this is an old subject, but I just heard some new evidence.

Previous quotes:
>>the "terrible claw" on the toe of _Deinonychus_ and other theropods
>>could have been used to grab onto tree trunks like the spikes in a
>>telephone repairman's boots?  How difficult would it be to reconcile
>>such a scenario with the orientation of the back-bone and tail as the
>>animal(s) attempted to climb?
>
>I think that's a great idea, especially the repair man's boots analogy.
>A good friend of mine works for the power company and I have tried
>those boots. While talking to John Fischner in front of his full-
>sized velociraptor sculpture in Tucson, we concluded that a raptor 
>could have gone right up a tree and probably get up as fast as just 
>about anything. The problem would arise when trying to maneuver in 
>the branches with a broomstick sticking out the butt :-) 
>(ossified tendons- stiff tail)

I just read a description of Troodon in The Ultimate Dinosaur Book. This
source claims that unlike Deinonychus, Troodon's tail is flexible, but it
still has the switchblade toe claws. Presumably there is a whole class of
animals like Troodon who could have been right at home in trees.