Re: Theropod eating and attacking

[zenlizard@juno.com (Sam j hogan)]

On Fri, 29 Aug 1997 03:31:23 -0400 (EDT) NJPharris writes:
>Predators can, if their digestive systems are strong enough, get calcium
from the >hard bits of their prey; but where exactly do herbivores get
their calcium?

There are actually a fair number of green plants which are a good source
of calcium.  Kale, for example, and also spinach  (although there is
anecdotal evidence that the iron in spinach binds with calcium, thus
making them both unavailable).  Some herps also will swallow their own
eggshells after the young have hatched, in order to reabsorb the calcium.
 I don't think that dinosaurs took this last route, as all of the herps
that I know of had different dentition and lifestyles than dinos.  Any
further thoughts on re-absorbtion?  Oh, I just remembered; the
oviviparous ones often re-absorb the eggshells after the eggs have
hatched inside the body.  I doubt we'll ever find any evidence that
oviviparous dinosaurs, if any, took this route.  So many fascinating
questions...
-zenlizard

Alright, everybody who believes in telekinesis, raise my hand!