RE: Feathers for T-Rex?

["Sticht, Aaron" <Aaron.Sticht@qwest.com>]

Granted, T-rexes do not have forelimbs that could reach the tops of their
heads, I think we all know they could not probably barely even scratch their
chins, however, where would there be any evidence that we can draw that a
T-Rex WAS a solitary animal?  Most birds are social animals, even the
majority of birds of prey pair for life.  I don't think we can compare
mammal predators with dinosaur predators because I honestly don't believe
that we can make a true analogous comparison of the two.  I think the
behaviors of birds would be a more accurate way of drawing conclusions on
T-Rex or other theropod behaviors.  Most bird species use some form of
display to attract a mate.  Would it be that hard to imagine an animal 45
feet long doing some form of mating ritual that may even involve rudimentary
feather-like protusions on its head?  I doubt highly that they don't have
primary flight feathers like modern flighted birds.  Most grooming and
preening takes place on modern birds to straighten flight feathers, birds
also preen their underfeathers removing ticks or other parasites which may
have gotten close to their skin.  All birds molt periodically throughout the
year, I would think this would be a way for T-Rex to have a good set of
feathers when it was time to look for a lady.  



-----Original Message-----
From: Dann Pigdon [mailto:dannj@alphalink.com.au] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 7:49 PM
To: DML
Subject: Re: Feathers for T-rex?

"Sticht, Aaron" wrote:
> 
> I think it is very plausible that at least the young t-rexes had some 
> feathery coating, and possibly even ornamental feathers adorning the 
> heads of the adult rexes.

Feathers need to be kept clean is they are to function properly as a display
device. How could adult tyrannosaurs possibly clean feathers on the top or
back of their heads? At least dromaeosaurs could likely reach that area with
their long forelimbs.

If feathered display crests WERE found with a tyrannosaur, this could be
good evidence of social behaviour. Lion manes are great display devices, but
I don't think it is a coincidence that they only appear in the one group of
big cats that live in large groups. The only way a tyrannosaur could keep a
PERMANENT display in good order is to have another tyrannt groom it for
them. Even then it would be a delicate process - like trying to comb your
hair with a front end loader.

Of course, there is always the possibility of seasonal displays which were
moulted after the breeding season. They may not have existed long enough to
require grooming, if the breeding season was extremely limited (and some
extant animals can only breed during a select few days each year).

In a large, solitary animal with limited use of its forelimbs, however, I
just don't see display structures that require regular grooming being an
advantage, especially where they can't be got at easily.

-- 
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Dann Pigdon                   Australian Dinosaurs:
GIS / Archaeologist         http://www.geocities.com/dannsdinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia        http://www.alphalink.com.au/~dannj/
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