Re: How small is small?

["King, Norm" <nking.ucs@smtp.usi.edu>]

The consensus seems to be that, in referring to dinosaurs, there are NO 
generally accepted quantitative limits for size terms such as small, 
medium, and large.  I asked because I am preparing a dinosaur ID key for 
my classes.  It doesn't mention a single bone, so it could be used as a 
field guide by any non-anatomist just arriving on Isla Nublar (although 
some distinctions require getting a close-up look at teeth!).  I had 
developed my own scale, but thought I'd ask before "going to press."  It 
is a scale for length only, since weights are so debatable.  I apply it 
uniformly across all dinosaur groups (the KISS approach).  Thanks for the 
input.  FYI (and still receptive to suggestions, objections, etc.):

very small          shorter than 2 meters (6-1/2 feet)
small               2 to 4 meters (6-1/2 to 13 feet)
medium              4 to 8 meters (13 to 26 feet)
moderately large    8 to 12 meters (26 to 39 feet)
large               12 to 24 meters (39 to 79 feet)
very large          longer than 24 meters (79 feet)


*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Norman R. King                                       tel:  (812) 464-1794
Department of Geosciences                            fax:  (812) 464-1960
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712                      e-mail:  nking.ucs@smtp.usi.edu