Re: Claw function in Deinonychus

[Ronald Orenstein <ron.orenstein@rogers.com>]

At 07:50 PM 10/26/2005, Michael Habib wrote:
> I am pretty certain (those by no means absolutely so) that the 
> disemboweling blows delivered by ratites are really abdomenal 
> ruptures caused by the extreme force of the blow, rather than a 
> slicing attack.
> If anyone can confirm/deny this based on some published 
> observations, that would be great.  I don't have any on hand right this moment.

I believe you are right, at least about cassowaries.  The "stabbing" 
claw on a cassowary is straight and daggerlike, and the toe holding 
it is otherwise quite short.  Apparently the bird leaps up and 
thrusts forward with both feet simultaneously, rather like a rooster 
in a cock fight, and the result can be a deep puncture wound.  This 
seems quite unlike the curved, elevated claw of dromaeosaurs.


Ronald Orenstein
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