Re: The Torso Tilt and Stiff Tails .-- Function in Locomotion

["Demetrios M. Vital" <vita0015@umn.edu>]

Ostriches have to sacrifice most of their femur for balance to compensate
for the lack of a tail.  The muscle structure as well has changed,
especialyl with the lack of the huge caudofemoralis.  Thus I have read that
ostriches are not as good counterparts to dinosaurs as often perceived.
Also, ostriches walk only on the distal ends of their phalanges, whereas
dinos didn't have this tip-toe stance.  And if you knew all of that, sorry
for taking up your time :)

But, like I said, the caudofemoralis changes a lot of things, and I
envision the tail shifting laterally over to the side of the leg touching
the ground, and then back, with each step.  So not only does musculature
cause it to shift left and right, it shifts for balance.

Hope this helps,

Demetrios


On 16 Jul 2001, Buckaroobwana@aol.com wrote:
> Greetings all,
>        Just out of curiosity, what would happen to the long tails of
> theropods while walking? Whenever I visit a zoo, I make it a point to
observe
>
> the ostriches walking. I imagine theropods walking in a similar manner,
but
> what the tail would do puzzles me. Would it remain in a fixed position?,
or
> would leg muscle action cause it to move back and forth?
>

>
>  Thanks,
>

>
>              Brian Buck
>