Re: Could Dinosaurs have ears?

[binder@zk3.dec.com (vitam gustare)]

> From: Greg Claytor <greg1@svpal.org>
>
> Well, Andrew noticed that Dinosaurs never have ears.  Flehsy ears like 
> elephants, dogs, bats, etc.  I explained that Dinos aren't mamals, that 
> they are reptiles, or at least a close relative.  I then pointed out that 
> snakes, lizards, turtles don't have fleshy ears either.

Reptiles?  REPTILES?  AAAAUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!

:-)

The right relative, most experts agree, isn't reptiles but rather
birds.  Which also lack external ears.  But both modern reptiles and
birds have ears; there is simply no external ear flap.

> ... aside from humans most mammals probably have some muscular control 
> over ear movement

Humans have some muscular control over their ears, although most people
don't know that or learn to use it.  I myself can wiggle my ears one at
a time or together.  :-)

> So now that you all know the whole story, Andrew and I would like to know 
> what evidence there is to support dinosaurs having or not having fleshy ears.

Mammals are the only modern animals with significant external ear
parts.  Since mammals are not closely related to dinosaurs, our ears
are not a good model for dino ears.

-dick

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