Re: Carnotaurus

["Jordan Mallon" <j_mallon@hotmail.com>]

> From: Erik  Omtvedt <omtvedt@mail.com>

> I imagine Carnotaurus hunted in much the same way T.Rex did, having a 
> >similar body structure (generally) to the king.  Large jaws, small >arms, 
> powerful legs.  It's killing power was in its mouth.

I was always under the impression that despite having a massive maxilla, the 
mandible of _Carnotaurus_ was actually quite slender and fairly weak.  The 
way I see it, _C. sastrei_ was one big and flashy theropod, but didn't have 
an overly powerful bite.  Can anyone please clarify the matter?

As for the original suggestion that _Carnotaurus_ may have used its brow 
horns to kill potential prey, I don't really subscribe to that one either.  
I don't think the horns were actually sharp enough to really puncture tough 
dino skin, and I believe that the horns were also pointed up-and-out 
(whereas a more likely 'prey-killing' strategy would be to have the horns 
pointing straight up to better impale the rival).

At any rate, I also await the answer of others patiently...

-Jordan Mallon

http://www.geocities.com/paleoportfolio/


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