Re: Rex cornering overview (from T. rex mechanix)

[Stanley Friesen <sarima@ix.netcom.com>]

At 01:23 AM 4/23/98 -0400, ngear@gvtc.com wrote:
>Implications:  From what I can tell, the rex could have been easily
>outmaneuvered by any quadruped which could match its top speed.  >...  In
>fact, I am hard-pressed to think of any animal that would have been 
>slower in the turns for its speed than rex and any similarly sized 
>theropods.
>    I have a feeling that some people will see this as further 
>evidence for the rex-as-obligate-scavenger view, but I still think 
>it is premature to go to that interpretation.  I think what this 
>tells us is that rex specialized in ponderous prey, and that its 
>attacks occurred at low speeds.
>
I have an alternative: an *ambush* hunter does not need maneuverability so
much as speed and *acceleration*

The basis of this strategy is hitting the prey before it can really get
moving.

--------------
May the peace of God be with you.         sarima@ix.netcom.com
                                          sfriesen@netlock.com