Re: T-Rex a Scavenger?!? (fwd)

[WILLSCULPT@aol.com]

>one's head was
>probably the worst place one would want a defensive weapon -

Maybe, but thats where they are.

> if a
>Triceratops would be lucky enough to gore a Tyrannosaurus, it would >then
>face the problem of several tons of opponent causing stress on its >neck,
>either thrashing or collapsing. 

Maybe again . . . Worry about the immediate problem first, and then worry
about the "what if's" later.  Life's a bitch, and then you die.  Triceratops
wouldn't have to gore it's opponent,  just keep those horns in its face.   

>I'm not sure about his argument - don't deer and buffalo use their >horns
>as defense against wolves, as well as for rutting?  Anyone know >anything
>about horns used against significantly larger predators? (like >maybe
>antelope or gazelle versus big cats?)

I saw some film footage somewhere recently;  An Elk using his antlers to hold
a Grizzly at bay on a gravel bar.  The Elk was injured already when the
footage began, and while the Elk put up a good fight, and used it's antlers
to good effect, the Grizzly did prevail.   Antlers are primarily used by
their male owners to clash with other males over the females during the
mating season, and for most of the year they have no antlers at all.   My
point is: this particular Elk had the equipement, and used it to defend
himself in this situation.  Most animals will use whatever they have when
push comes to shove.  Whether it's a T-Rex too hungry to wait for something
to die, or a Triceratops with it's back to the cliff,  it seems to me that
these animals, prey or predetor would use whatever resourses they had; teeth,
horns, speed, stealth and/or brains.  

Bill Hunt  -  Frustrated Marine Biologist  -  Happy Artist
2780 Chaparral Lane
Paso Robles,  CA  93446     -    805-237-0733  
E-Mail   WillSculpt@aol.com