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In my opinion, the foot of Deinonychus is perhaps the most revealing bit of anatomical evidence pertaining to dinosaurian habits and capabilities to be discovered in many decades. Grandiose statements of this kind are, of course, easily rejected, but the functional implications of the pes of Deinonychus are not so easily discarded – especially in view of the other remarkable adaptations of this animal. Deinonychus must have been anything but "reptilian" in its behavior, responses and way of life. It must have been a fleet-footed, highly predaceous, extremely agile and very active animal, sensitive to many stimuli and quick in its responses. These in turn indicate and unusual level of activity from a reptile and suggest an unusually high metabolic rate. (it) |
