Re: The absurdity, the absurdity (was: Cooperating theropods?)

[Betty Cunningham <bettyc@flyinggoat.com>]

Chris Campbell wrote:
> I don't see what the brain has to do with it; pack tactics can be
> practiced by such simple-minded animals as hammerhead sharks, so I don't
> think a bright therapod would have much trouble.

A pack of dogs or lions use a very different tactic in a VERY different
environment than sharks (singly or together) ever could.  
It's IMPOSSIBLE to approach 'downwind' from a prey animal with sonar in
a completely featureless environment, for example.

The prey whale or dolphin KNOWS the shark's whereabouts at all times,
and not just via taste in the water (equivalent of terrestrial smell) or
sight.  There are no trees to hide behind.

With sharks, they bite something till they're fed, the thing may or may
not die by the time the shark begins digesting.  And this tactic is the
same whether it is one shark by itself or many sharks.

With lions and hyenas and dogs it's much more a testing measure of
whether this hunting group is ready to confront that prey group or
individual prey animal.  The animals seem to need reassurance they have
good chances of winning a confontation before they confront.

This difference in style seems to support the idea of instinctual
hunting of sharks vs. the contemplative hunting of terrestrial mammals.

-Betty Cunningham