Dinosaurs held their legs directly beneath the body, unlike other reptiles, which crawl with their legs held out from the sides of the body. Huge herbivorous dinosaurs, such as Diplodocus, walked on all fours with front and rear legs supporting bulky bodies. Most carnivores, such as Albertosaurus, walked on the two back legs, leaving the front limbs free for catching and holding prey.
FLESH AND BONE
The rear legs of Albertosaurus were powered by large muscles that pulled on the bones to make them move. The ankle and metatarsals worked as part of the leg, giving a longer stride.
MYSTERIOUS DINOSAUR
Almost all that is known of Deinocheirus is this huge pair of arms and hands. Thes forelimbs are 8ft (2.4 m) long. It is thought that Deinocheirus belonged to a group of dinosaurs called ornithomimosaurs. The huge hands would have been used to catch
and hold prey.
GOOD SUPPORT
Five widely spread toes on the rear feet of Diplodocus helped support the dinosaur’s enormous weight. The first three toes had claws. A padded heel, like that of an elephant, cushioned the thundering footsteps.
FLEET FOOT
Ornithomimus was one of the speediest dinosaurs. Its three foot bones were locked together, making a long extension to the leg. Running on the tips of its toes, it could take long strides. Ornithomimus may have reached top speeds of 37 mph (60 km/h) – fast enough to escape most predators.
LEGS LIKE PILLARS
The heaviest dinosaurs had pillarlike legs, like those of elephants. Brachiosaurus weighed about 0 tons (tonnes) so it needed thick, strong legs to support its body.
Showing posts with label mammals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mammals. Show all posts
Friday, October 9, 2009
DINOSAUR ANATOMY
THE SIZE AND SHAPE of a dinosaur’s head, body, and legs help us to tell one dinosaur from another, and also tell us how the body parts were used. From the skeleton inside to the scaly skin outside, each part of a dinosaur helps build a picture of these amazing animals.
Body power
The shoulder and pelvic muscles were crucial areas of power for light, fast runners as well as slow, heavy plodders. The largest dinosaurs were not always the mightiest. Some of the smallest dinosaurs were powerful runners
PROTECTIVE CAGE Like all dinosaurs, Brachiosaurus had a cage, formed from vertebrae, ribs, and sheets of muscle, to protect the vital internal organs.
FIGHTING MALES
Strength and power were not always used to kill. Male dinosaurs may have fought each other over females or to win or defend territory. Beaten, and possibly bruised, the loser would need to move on to other hunting grounds.
STRONG MUSCLES
Centrosaurus needed powerful muscles to move its heavy, bulky body. Muscles attached to the pelvis and shoulders pulled and lifted strong legs. When running fast, Centrosaurus would have been difficult to stop in its tracks.
ORNITHOLESTES
Small and lightweight, Ornitholestes used much of its energy powering long legs when chasing small prey such as lizards and mammals.
Body power
The shoulder and pelvic muscles were crucial areas of power for light, fast runners as well as slow, heavy plodders. The largest dinosaurs were not always the mightiest. Some of the smallest dinosaurs were powerful runners
PROTECTIVE CAGE Like all dinosaurs, Brachiosaurus had a cage, formed from vertebrae, ribs, and sheets of muscle, to protect the vital internal organs.
FIGHTING MALES
Strength and power were not always used to kill. Male dinosaurs may have fought each other over females or to win or defend territory. Beaten, and possibly bruised, the loser would need to move on to other hunting grounds.
STRONG MUSCLES
Centrosaurus needed powerful muscles to move its heavy, bulky body. Muscles attached to the pelvis and shoulders pulled and lifted strong legs. When running fast, Centrosaurus would have been difficult to stop in its tracks.
ORNITHOLESTES
Small and lightweight, Ornitholestes used much of its energy powering long legs when chasing small prey such as lizards and mammals.
