Re: How would Tyrannosaurus approach a Triceratops?

[John Hunt <john.bass@ntlworld.com>]

I am sure I will be corrected if I get this wrong.

The evidence for T rex having some binocular vision comes from the cranial
remains that seem to suggest that the back of the skull was relatively broad
and the snout relatively narrow.  However, as skulls are normally crushed
this may be reconstruction bias.  Other large therapods appear to have
broader snouts.  Think croc vs. gator.

The evidence from CT scans of the braincase suggests the optic nerve was
substantial but the olfactory bulbs were enormous.  Some have interpreted
this to suggest the sight was not good, but this seems wrong to me - because
the sense of smell was extraordinary does not reduce the visual acuity.

This is at the heart of the predator vs scavenger debate.  Seems to me that
vast herds of large herbivorous dinosaurs would have a significant smell
with all that dung, and a good sense of smell would be an advantage in
tracking said herds.

It does not make sense for T rex to attack the pointy end of a Triceratops
and perhaps we should turn the question round, how does a T rex defend
itself from a charging Triceratops?  Perhaps T rex bit the horns to stop
being turned into a kebab.