Re: The Peters Strikes Back (pterosaurs)

["James R. Cunningham" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

Chris Bennett wrote:

> Do the numbers?  You don't need to do any numbers, just use your common
> sense!.  Extend the hindlimb and balance the center of gravity over the
> polygon enclosing the hind feet.  What is so hard about that?

Statically?  Among other things -- while compensating for wind gusts and
the directional velocity shear with increasing height above the ground;
balancing a 7 to 9 foot long head in a more or less horizontal position
and placed vertically over the relatively small hind feet that are
located almost 20 feet below.  More difficult than for humans. We ain't
quite so tall, we don't have so much area exposed to the wind, and in
our case, the wind doesn't vary so much from ground level up to our
noses.  It'd take numbers to convince me.  Note that there are
circumstances where I do think that they'd go bipedal for a few steps
--  I just don't think it would be easy for them. 

 :-)

Jim