Re: Evidence For a Feathered Velociraptor...

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

Nick Page writes: 

> "One thing that puzzles me though is why these little dinosaurs have 
> feathery structures on them (including their forelimbs) when they 
> obviously can't begin to fly.

That may be true of adult animals, but what of juveniles with their 
relatively longer forelimbs and much smaller mass? Perhaps dromaeosaurs in 
general out-grew their ability to fly (or at least 'flutter'). 

We know from fossils that juvenile dromaeosaurids had fully-developed 
feathered fans on their forelimbs. If 'wings' were primarily used as sexual 
displays or brooding equipment in dromaeosaurs, then you wouldn't expect 
them to develop until adulthood. That tends to suggest that either juvenile 
volancy, or their use as running aids, are more likely contenders for the 
*primary* use of dromaeosaur 'wings'. Personally, I consider both ideas 
equally likely (and not necessarily mutually exclusive). 

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Dann Pigdon
GIS / Archaeologist              geo cities.com/dannsdinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia             heretichides.soffiles.com
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