Re: Fw: Sauropod Necks As Weapons

[Richard W Travsky <rtravsky@uwyo.edu>]

On Wed, 18 Dec 2002, Dann Pigdon wrote:
> Adam Britton wrote:
> > 
> > Crocs can deliver a nasty blow with the tail, which isn't surprising giving
> > the musculature behind it. However, rather than using the tail in isolation
> > as an iguana or monitor might do, the crocodile lashes out with its head as
> > well as the tail in the direction of the threat / annoyance - perhaps as a
> > way to maintain balance. It's often said that crocs use their tails as
> > weapons to unbalance prey, but perhaps such observers are concentrating on
> > the wrong end of the animal.
> > 
> 
> Not necessarily. I have it on good authority from croc-wise people in
> Queensland, Australia, that some crocs have adapted to taking livestock
> much larger than they can pull into the water with their jaws alone by
> sweeping their legs out from under them using their tails. Once in the
> water, the horse or cow is at a distinct disadvantage, and may even
> drown through panick alone. 
> [...]

Hmmm. What I get out of this is that a sauropod could use both ends in
a weapon like manner. Unfortunately the image that comes to mind is
something like a bucking horse...on second thot that doesn't seem so 
unreasonable, just not sure if they could move that energetically.