Re: The bigger they were...

["Rob Gay" <rob@dinodomain.com>]

Peter wrote:
>Yes, they evolved - to the degree were I feel they needed to support much
of their bulk in water - and to provide balance.<
Support their bulk indicates that you don't think the legs were strong
enough to hold them up (regardless of CoG). Am I misreading this?

>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<
I'm going to concentrate on T. rex here. Beyond my personal feelings that a
creature doesn't evolve only to be foiled by everyday circumstances
(falling, wind, etc.), I think evolution has more utility inherent than
that - what I'd like to say is, "How about birds?" We're looking at T. rex,
and the age old question (how could it get up if it fell over) is uttered.
I'd like to point out that to the best of my knowledge, all flightless birds
today call be knocked on their side and are able to get back up on their
own. How? Honestly, I haven't studied it in detail, but I've seen
self-righting Kiwis, Ostriches, and especially Emus (thanks Steve Irwin!)
enough to know it happens.
Food for thought - chew the fat.
Peace,
Rob

Student of Biology
Northern Arizona University
400 E. McConnell Dr. #11
Flagstaff, Az. 86001
http://dinodomain.com
http://www.cafepress.com/robsdinos