Re: [RE: galloping sauropods?]

[archosaur@usa.net]

Did deinosaurs even have a glutius maximus?

I thought that in reptiles, the big leg retractor muscle was the
caudofemoralis.

I also figured that this was one of the big reasons why most mammals have
rather small, thin tails compared to body size

Archosaur J

=============================================


>       With the legs held straight (no or little knee flexion) the force is

> transmitted into the hip structure AND the  glutius maximus AND into the

> lower back.  Animals who stand with their legs straight, therefore have a

> robust hip structure & powerful "butt" muscles.  That is the largest muscle

> in the human body (upper thighs are the second biggest).   Flexing the knees

> transmits more of the force into the powerful butt & leg muscles & less into

> the lower back.

> 

>       As a matter of conjecture, my opinion is they moved much like

> elephants, but

>       we don't know this.  How fast could they run?  Fast enough to evolve

>       successfully over millions of years.

> 

> 

>       Michael Teuton

> 

>       Elephants LOOK like a good model for saurapod movement.  Despite

> being straight-legged

>       Walkers/runners, we humans are bipedal (YES: EVEN IN TEXAS!) .

> Top human speed is > 20 miles per hour (in a sprint), with ~ 10 miles per

> hour for long distance running.  As far as elephant speeds, I KNOW I've seen

> the numbers, but can't call them to memory ATT.

>       I do recall be surprised that (whatever value it is) was that fast.

> Still, I'll bet someone on the list knows precisely.

> 

>       Dwight



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