Re: Brachiosaur flexibility and face-shape

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

On Thu, Sep 29th, 2011 at 5:06 AM, Augusto Haro <augustoharo@gmail.com> wrote:

> <GSP1954@aol.com>:
> 
> > It is my considered opinion that since sauropods were probably ominivores
> > that picked up small animals they could swallow that, instead of being
> > gentle
> > giants which they likely were not (they were not cows), they ought to eat
> > the kids in these fiction programs. Especially the bratty ones in JP 1.
> 
> Did you publish the arguments for this assertion? (no criticism
> intended) Thanks if you can give a citation.
> There is a video of a domestic cow eating a live small chick. It seems
> animal eating is in principle possible in any herbivore, even if not
> seen in nature.

Herbivores have been known to resort to eating small animals in nutrient-poor 
environments to 
supplement their diet. Hippos don't even need the dietry supplement excuse - 
they have been seen 
nibbling on carcasses on numerous occasions.

Deer are notorious for it, as they have seasonally high demands on calcium 
levels when growing 
antlers, and chewing the heads and legs off bird chicks provides for a cheep 
(sorry) source of 
calcium.

http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2008/12/18/155137/16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQOQdBLHrLk

-- 
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Dann Pigdon
Spatial Data Analyst               Australian Dinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia               http://home.alphalink.com.au/~dannj
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