Re: Triceratops Frills

["Nicholas R. Longrich" <longrich@phoenix.Princeton.EDU>]

On Tue, 23 Jan 1996 martin@hpentccl.grenoble.hp.com wrote:

> Also, again, could the large "kicking" claw on (I can't remember the name but 
> it begins with a D) be used for climbing on the backs of larger prey to get 
> at 
> the neck, rather than for disembowelling?  Could one imagine predators which 
> specialise in one type of prey, using one successfull killing technique 
> (until 
> the prey developed a counter-measure), rather than preying on all species?

        The well-known Velociraptor/Protoceratops fossil in Mongolia 
shows a Velociraptor with its claws latched onto a Protoceratops' face, 
kicking with the big claw into the neck of the Protoceratops. It's 
probable, of course, that technique would have varied between prey 
animals, species, and even individuals, but this is one way to kill an 
animal.
        -nick L.