Re: Evidence For a Feathered Velociraptor...

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

ptnorton writes: 

> I would also note that concerns about damage to elongated ulna remiges may 
> be a red herring, since aerodynamically functional feathers on the arms of 
> an animal such as Velociraptor could have helped it do battle with its 
> feet while keeping its arms *away* from struggling prey.  In battle and in 
> prey aquistion, birds will use their wings to bring the hind limbs higher 
> so that the feet will make contact first.

Indeed - t'is a remarkable coincidence that some of the most bird-like of 
non-avians also just happened to have a rather nasty claw on their foot. 
It's almost as if there was a shift away from the 'front end only' predation 
techniques of other theropods (which might eventually have culminated in 
large, big-headed theropods with reduced forelimbs), towards a 'use my feet 
to keep things away from my lovely forelimb fans' approach. :) 

The above description brings to mind a creature that could exert enough lift 
with its forelimbs in order to bring its head and chest up and out of the 
way, long enough to execute a few piercing stabs with the feet 
(cassowary-style). Of course you'd probably want some sort of reinforcing 
armour on the belly like kangaroos have (mmm... extensive gastralia might do 
the trick), and a good stiff tail with plenty of mobility at the base might 
also help... 


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