Saturday, February 02, 2019

Sue

I'm still trying to figure out the new Sue. Her new physique, outlined by her gastralia, looks downright chubby. And I don't quite see how the extra weight (9-10 tons vs the old estimate of 5-7) is balanced by the same old tail. Leaning forward like that seems like an invitation to faceplant in the mashed potatoes. I haven't tried to learn the biomechanics, but intuitively you'd think it would be easier to balance erect when you have so much weight above the hips.

They think the belly-bones helped with breathing. They have to be useful for something. Maybe they helped with digestion too. T-Rex wasn't the only one with such bones--diplodicus and others had them too. I'd guess if the critter got too big the extra strengtheners might be needed to keep from herniating.

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