Something Real
MemberTyrannosaurus RexJun-22-2014 4:15 PMHello there. Over the past month, I've been going over various disertations involving the anatomical viability of various dinosaur species with relation to modern-day fauna. Some of the most fascinating pieces of information concern the overall appearance of the animals - to wit, their sophistication as organisms. Allow me to expound for a moment.
When you or I look upon a modern-day animal, say an elephant or lion, we're looking upon the product of many, many millions of years of evolutionary refinement. Their genetics have been fine-tuned to present a creature able to survive in this world after an extensive period of evolutionary "trial-and-error". Many of those genetic modification were a product of the age in which dinosaurs still roamed the face of our world. With that as the case, how sophisticated were dinosaurs with relation to their appearance?
Many films and artists depict dinosaurs and other ancient creatures with features and colorations that mimic those found in animal life across the planet today. This is, of course, an understandible course to take when visually describing an ancient life-form; it stands to reason present-day creatures would share similar traits with more ancient organisms. However, recent theories have begun to suggest that dinosaurs, while similar to the beings we see in our day and age, would likely be quite alien and primitive with regards to overall appearance. They might have been scaled and brightly-colored, but their features would have been proto-eveolutionary to us. Their eyes, nasal passages, mouth structure, movement and mannersisms would have been extremely unfamiliar to us - as much as the world at the time of their dominion. It is very likely that we wouldn't recognize a living dinosaur (with regards to supposition and theory), for it would in no way behave in the manner depicted in films and books. Such a creature would likely disturb our senses and frighten us in the extreme due to the fact that we would be looking back upon a time before the world's genetic lineage had refined itself to the point in which our species now dwells.
I certainly find this new notion extremely compelling and slightly unsettling! Thinking of a T-Rex in the flesh and having to consider the fact that it might be as alien as a creature from some distant star is both intriguing and likely to give me disquieting dreams! As always, your thoughts and conjecture on this topic are most appreciated, even if you choose to keep them to yourself. :)
REX FAN 684 - Indeed. The behavior and mentality of the creatures is the primary focus of the post. However, the physical appearance is an underlying portion. I'm certain that a T-Rex would look fundamentally like the interpretations we've seen in films and artists renditions. However, There might be certain aspects about the animal's physiology that would confuse us. For example, a T-Rex's eyes might have been similar to those of a modern day gecko, as is illustrated in the image below. Most species of gecko are extremely primitive with regards to genetic lineage. That would certainly be somewhat unsettling! :)
Indeed. I do think, since it's likely T.rex had realy good binocular vision, it's eyes would look like an eagle or hawk...
Not only does this show the animal has great vision, but simply looking at the eyes shows the depth of the intelligence of it. I find that unsettling myself. But like I said, that's what I THINK.
Either way, if this was looking at me, I'd probably pass out...
Now that I said it, I find the idea that T.rex did a mating dance like a bird of paradise quite intruiging. Some might laugh at this, but I'm serious. Seeing a male T.rex bobbing it's head and flashing bright head crests or feathers would be quite something.
