RE: The bigger they were...

["Gee, Henry" <H.Gee@nature.com>]

I think they bounced.

-----Original Message-----
From: zone65@bigpond.com [mailto:zone65@bigpond.com]
Sent: 30 October 2003 09:15
To: dinosaur@usc.edu
Subject: The bigger they were...


>>
>> I'm thinking extremes here - cyclonic-force winds. Even if they didn't
>> 'blow over' as a direct result, they could have been put off balance
>> and then fallen to a crashing death.

On Thursday, October 30, 2003, at 07:38  PM, LMD ART wrote:
>
>  Can someone please  explain to me why it would be so tragic if a 
> sauropod
> was put off balance and fell ?
>    I do realise that some times a fall can break bones ,or even  kill,
> depending  on the circumstances ,but it seems to be implied that if 
> they
> fall,they die.
>  I know I'm treading a thin line here ,but, these animals weren't 
> created
> ,they evolved. with all the trails and tribulations ,which surely 
> includes
> being able to take a fall even when they are blown over by the wind.
>    I mean no disrespect  -  just curious
>
>                                                   Luke Ber


None taken. Yes, they evolved - to the degree were I feel they needed 
to support much of their bulk in water - and to provide balance. Apart 
from the internal damage a fall would have caused, the main problem 
with them falling is how do they get up again? This also applies to T. 
rex.

Peter M