Re: SQUIRRELS - FLYING AND OTHERWISE

[ornstn@inforamp.net (Ronald Orenstein)]

>       Bakker thinks that Othnielia and his pet dino Drinker (relatives of 
>the hypsilophodonts, 5-6 and 2-4 feet respectively, Late Jurassic of 
>Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah/ Wyoming) were 
>both arboreal forms. He cites a large, opposable first toe, and noted 
>something about the ankles- I think it was that they could rotate. I'm 
>guessing that he was speaking about the reversible ankle thing.
>       I just checked out the ankles for myself, right out of my window. The 
>squirrel's toes end up pointing directly out to the sides. 
>       Am I right in remembering that some pterosaurs also have reversible 
>ankles? 
>       -nick L.
>

I don't know, but what about bats?  They must have some sort of odd leg
modification to permit them to hang head down.
--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886 (home)
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116 (home)
Home: 1825 Shady Creek Court                  Messages: (416) 368-4661
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          Internet: ornstn@inforamp.net
Office: 130 Adelaide Street W., Suite 1940    
Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 3P5