Re: Tyrannosaurus "Scavenger vs. Predator" debate - Some questions for Dr. Jack Horner:

[Darryl Jones <dinoguy@sympatico.ca>]

At 07:39 PM 2/17/2004, bigelowp@juno.com wrote:
> I still think biting the horns is a big waste of a predator's energy.  If
> the T. rex is busy restraining the Triceratops' horns with its mouth,
> then it has no opportunity to kill the Triceratops.  It can only use its
> mouth for one purpose at any given moment.
>
> The best defense against a pair of charging horns is to run off to the
> side (bull-fighting matadors do this).
>
> Biting the horns wastes precious calories, and worse, you don't  even get 
> a meal out of the deal.  It's akin to arriving late to a dinner party, no
> food left for you, and you get stiffed with the bill.

I think we are giving old rex a bit more on the ball than he deserves.  I 
have a cast of a T. rex brain on my shelf here.  He was no mental giant.  I 
think his thought processes might go along the lines of the Homer Simpson 
"Food goes in here" (while pointing vigorously at mouth with stubby 
arms).  He isn't calculating the efficiency quotient of each bite.  Yes, 
maybe he was preferentially biting meatier areas, but if someone pokes you, 
you bite them (just ask my dog, or my ten month old for that matter).

Male pronouns were used for brevity. Nothing was meant by it.

Darryl Jones  <dinoguy@sympatico.ca>

For information on tyrannosaurids and
cool activities and information for kids,
visit my website at:

<http://www3.sympatico.ca/dinoguy/>http://www3.sympatico.ca/dinoguy<http://www3.sympatico.ca/dinoguy/>/