Re: Predation in T. rex and other theropods

[Stan Friesen <swf@ElSegundoCA.NCR.COM>]

I, too, found Horner's arguments here unconvincing.

As Dr. Holtz has pointed out, grasping limbs are unnecessary
for bringing down prey.  In this context I remember a film I
saw recently of a pack of wolves bringing down an adult muskox.
One two would harry it and keep its attention while the others
lunged in and bit it about the legs (to ham-string it).  When
it finally went down, the wolves bit into its neck, to suffocate
it - no grasping, just biting - and very dramatic.

The teeth of T. rex, and its relatives, are clearly specialized for
a very powerful slashing bite - rather different from the bite of
the other large theropods, like Allosaurus.  Again, this seems more
in line with Dr. Holtz's pursuit-and-bite preadator than with a
primary scavenger.

[Again, I know of no large predator that will pass up a free meal,
so *some* scavenging is unquestioned - but the same is true of
Allosaurus].

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

The peace of God be with you.