Re: Solitary Hunters and T. rex

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

 From: ConstableM@mail.edm.ab.doe.ca ("Constable,Miles [Edm]")
 >. Now the question of whether 
 > Ceratopseans would run or fight is important. It might depend on whether 
 > they were spooked and ran or saw the T. rex coming and had time to get 
 > around to meet it.

The general tendency of herbivores is to run from potential threats
unless that is impossible, then they fight.  I see no reason to
suppose that Triceratops and its kin were any different.

This means it would probably run unless cornered.

Thus T. rex would need to dispatch it quickly and from the rear
to do so safely.  This is more reasonable than it sounds.  Modern
predators can be quite effective at harrying a prey animal until
they get a good attack opening.

 >Of course more than one T. rex would make this a moot 
 > point for a single Ceratopsian, it was dead meat. I think the 
 > Ceratopseans/Hadrosaurs/whatever else, would run as a herd and hope they 
 > weren't the one to feel T. rex's bite.

A T. rex would never attack a ceratopsion in a herd, that would
have been too dangerous.  It would go for those that get separated
from the herd, much like the modern Prairie Wolf did when hunting
Bison.

swf@elsegundoca.attgis.com              sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.