On Thu, 29 Sep 2011, Tim Williams wrote:
I wrote:Yes, the "crampon" hypothesis for the dromaeosaur sickle-claw proposes that it was specialized for gripping, rather than for stabbing or stabbing.That should have read "stabbing or slashing". Having said that, having a pair of sickle-claws stuck in the flanks of your prey would have the potential to inflict a great deal of damage - especially as the prey struggled.
Would that not put a lot of stress on the claws and foot (and leg)? All that thrashing while "connected"?