Re: Theropod tail question

[pharrinj@PLU.edu]

On Mon, 8 Jan 1996, Raptor wrote:

> I know many theropods had stiff tails because of thier vertabrea.  But 
> were they completely stiff and unmovable?  This doesn't make any sense to 
> me.  Surely they could move them a little.  This is what I picture.  A 
> theropod is stalking through the thick foliage.  It knows the prey is 
> near. He can hear and smell them.  They are not that far ahead.  He turns 
> to conceal himself under the leafy undergrowth when WHAP!  That stiff 
> tail held out behind him slaps against some plants.  The sound carries 
> through the air like a thundrcrack.  The prey's head whips up and it runs 
> off.  The poor theropod sits there growling to itself because it just 
> missed a meal.  Is what I picture happening very offten it you have a 
> long tail that can't move.  Tell me know what I'm missing here.  Thanks.
> 
>                             bite is might
> 
>                                Raptor     <O)
>                                        ___())___
>                                            ||
> 

   The theropods with the stiffest tails were dromaeosaurs, which 
possibly did not live in forests??  Anyway, the BASES of the tails of all 
theropods were quite flexible, even if the last two-thirds or so of the 
tail was stiffened.