Dinosaur Hand Shakes

[jamolnar@juno.com]

I posted this message on the 8th and no one has responded at all.  I'm
sure folks are busy in the field or just coming back.  If it is at all
possible, could anyone look over these notes and tell me where I am in
error?  Or correct?  Even if you can comment on only one or two
dinosaurs, it would be a big help.   Also, how much opposability of
digits (if any) was present in any of the following dinosaurs' hands?

**Thank you all for your time and help.**

>>Hello All,

Bob Bakker has written and lectured about dinosaur hands for many years,
and I would like to get other folk's opinions about some of the things he
has said about dinosaur hand shakes.  I've seen many variations on
reconstructions of dinosaur hands, and I would like to get the "straight
poop" on this subject.  The kids really like the concept when I use it 
[gosh, how _would_ I shake that dinosaur's hand?] and since it
personalizes the dinosaurs for them and fires their imaginations, I'd
like to get it right.

The following notes are what I have gleaned from Dr. Bob's lectures and
writings and the reconstructions I've looked at in various places.

T. rex : digits 1 and 2 (thumb and forefinger), held as if you were a
child about to shoot an imaginary gun, palm perpendicular to the floor. 
T. rex could not oppose the 2 digits.

Triceratops:  Since the thumb, index and middle fingers had hooves and
the others did not, I'd hold the palm parallel to the floor and do a
"Vulcan salute" with the thumb not too spread out.

Brachiosaurus and all other sauropods:  all 5 digits are spread evenly in
an arc, palm parallel to the floor, with a thumb jutting slightly out to
depict the long claw.

Allosaurus, Deinonychus, Velociraptor, Giganotosaurus: digits 1, 2, 3
(thumb, forefinger, middle finger) held with the thumb up, the other 2
digits close together, as if you were pretending to shoot a "double
barreled" gun; palm perpendicular to the floor.  Birds also have this
handshake.

Hadrosaurs (all duckbills): Have no thumbs, so I'd tuck it in, then hold
my pinky to the side, palm parallel to the floor, 3 middle fingers
together.

Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus: Like Triceratops?? Help!

Iguanodon: held hands with 2 thumbs pointing up, the next 3 digits with
hoof-like nails to bear weight, the pinky flexible enough to maybe hook
plants like a panda's wrist bone, palm held perpendicular to the ground
but could be parallel too.

Pachycephalosaurus and other boneheads:  Not enough post cranial skeleton
to tell?? Help!

I'd like to prepare this information for a teacher workshop on Friday,
August 15th.  
Thanks in advance, to all who take the time to answer.>>

I'd like to add Dilophosaurus: First 4 digits, palm perpendicular to
floor, thumb up,  "ring" finger very small, thumb with some opposability.

Desperately and sincerely yours,
Judy Molnar
Education Associate, Virginia Living Museum
vlmed@juno.com
jamolnar@juno.com
All questions are valid; all answers are tentative.