Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    lindenw's Avatar
    lindenw Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 19, 2012, 05:52 PM
    Dinosaur feet - back toe / claw
    Can anyone explain the adaptation of the "back toe" / claw on some dinosaurs? What was the purpose of the back toe with claw? Below is a list of dinosuars that I have found with this adaptation, with other characteristics.


    Edmontosaurus herbivore quadroped cretaceous period
    Troodon carnivore biped cretaceous
    Daspletosaurus carnivore biped cretaceous
    Albertosaurus carnivore biped cretaceous
    Herrasaurus carnivore biped triassic
    Eoraptor carnivore biped triassic
    Coelophisis carnivore biped triassic
    Allosaurus carnivore biped jurassic
    T-rex carnivore biped cretaceous
    Suchomimis carnivore biped cretaceous
    Irritator carnivore biped cretaceous
    Spinosaurus carnivore biped cretaceous
    Oviraptor omnivore biped cretaceous
    Utahraptor carnivore biped cretaceous
    Bambiraptor carnivore biped cretaceous
    Protarchaepteryx carnivore biped cretaceous
    Archaeopterix carnivore biped jurassic
    Plateosaurus herbivore both triassic
    Diplodocus herbivore quadraped Jurassic
    Stegoceras herbivore biped Cretaceous
    Hedrodontosaurus herbivore biped jurassic
    Abrictosaurus herbivore biped jurassic
    Pisanosaurus herbivore biped Triassic
    Thesclosaurus herbivore quadaped jurassic
    Hyplophdon herbivore biped Creataceous
    Leaellynasaura herbivore biped Creataceous
    Camptosaurus herbivore both Jurassic
    Iguanodon herbivore both Cretaceous
    Maisaura herbivore both Cretaceous

    Thank you.
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
    Expert
     
    #2

    Jan 19, 2012, 10:55 PM
    I quite imagine the back claw would be for ripping and tearing prey.
    lindenw's Avatar
    lindenw Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Jan 20, 2012, 02:30 AM
    That's what I thought, but then many of the dinosaurs I listed are herbivores.
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
    Expert
     
    #4

    Jan 20, 2012, 06:27 AM
    I think it is a vestige on the herbivores because of all dinosaurs' evolution. Although they didn't need it, it stayed as a sort of appendage, like a dog's dewclaw, so to speak.

    You should check out what is happening in Alaska in paleontology with the resurgence in gold mining around Yellow Knife. The silt under the ice, which was dust during the ice age (yes dust apparently there was lots of dust) under which the gold is found, has to be washed away with powerful hydraulic hoses, therefore yielding troves of just about every dino.
    lindenw's Avatar
    lindenw Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #5

    Jan 20, 2012, 03:54 PM
    Thank you, I'll check that out.
    Best wishes.
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
    Expert
     
    #6

    Jan 20, 2012, 04:08 PM
    Sorry Yellowknife is NWT not Alaska

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Severe Foot Pain from my pinkie toe down the side of my feet to the heel.. [ 0 Answers ]

I ran 4 miles on Sunday and then ran another to the following Monday, after I got off the treadmill on Monday I could barely walk and could not stand with pressure on either of my feet. I have been iceing and heating both feet, not helping! I have been wearing a few pairs of socks at a time to give...

Somebody tell me how do I get back on my feet? [ 11 Answers ]

How the hell do I get back on my feet? I used to be successful, happy and a hero but my life has turned to . I am not exaggerating. And I will be surprised if anybody answers. Ten years ago, I was a professional firefighter and paramedic, working my way though medical school, had a wife and a...

Trying to get back on my feet. [ 2 Answers ]

I'm not sure where this story should start but I know that in order to fully understand my situation you really need to know the background so I'll start at the beginning. My wife and I relocated to Atlanta in June of 2003 because she was convinced that leaving our great jobs and moving to an...

Overpayment claw back problem [ 1 Answers ]

My employer offered an employee purchase plan (toward a laptop) - I paid for the computer monthly, they reimbursed me the same amount. I am paid by automatic deposit and never look at my pay stub. Now it turns out that they continued to make the payment for about three years past when they should...


View more questions Search