Re: Hibernating through the K/T?

[swf@srva01-15.psych.upenn.edu (Stan Friesen)]

 > John Bois writes;
 > NOT!  Although we do find dinos in high latitudes, the plant fossils
 >  found point to a temperate environment.  Although it probably did get
 >  cold in the winter, I suspect that the temperature stayed above
 >  freezing.

That would mean a virtually NON-seasonal climate.  The average
annual temperature in some places where dinosaurs have been found
was only a few degree above freezing (4-5 deg. C.).  Any significant
seasonality at all, and the temperature would drop below freezing
on a regular basis.

 > IMHO, any hibernation scenerio for survivor species is incorrect.

For most, I agree.  An exception may be some amphibians capable
of extraordinarily long hibernation. (Some desert frogs may hibernate
for many *years* waiting for the right rain).

 >  With estimates for the bolide winter lasting several years, there is
 >  no way for any species, especially for endothermic ones, to survive
 >  that long during sleep 

I am not yet convinced by the bolide winter simulations.  In fact
I suspect they are utterly wrong.  More detailed weather simulations
generally show a *much* less extreme cooling effect than the early,
crude simulations.

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

The peace of God be with you.