Re: Fw: The bigger they were...

[Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au>]

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.

Elephants are mortally afraid of steep slopes, and getting them to cross
open bridges that they can see over is almost impossible. This is
because if an elephant falls, it will almost certainly incur fatal
injuries (if not immediately, the loss of mobility results in starvation
or infection). When an elephant walks over rough or steep terrain, it
places its feet EXTREMELY CAREFULLY. It can be almost unnerving to see
just how careful and agile a seemingly 'lumbering' animal can be. 

A simple way for sauropods to avoid being toppled in high winds (if it
was even an issue) would be to either head into tree cover (some sea
birds will head inland during harsh storms), or simply to group together
and stand close enough to support each other (ie. the emperor penguin
approach). Squatting down may have also been an option (certainly for
juveniles).

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Dann Pigdon                   Australian Dinosaurs:
GIS / Archaeologist         http://www.geocities.com/dannsdinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia        http://www.alphalink.com.au/~dannj/
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