Offensive Adaptations Flashcards
Q: How does binocular vision benefit predators like carnivorous dinosaurs?
A: Binocular vision allows predators to accurately judge distances and depth perception, which is crucial for tracking and leaping to catch prey.
Q: What adaptations do predators use to effectively catch prey?
A: Predators use adaptations like sharp serrated teeth, binocular vision, sharp retractable claws, and the ability to run fast to locate, catch, and devour their prey.
Q: Why are sharp serrated teeth important for carnivorous dinosaurs?
A: Sharp serrated teeth are essential for grasping and tearing the flesh of prey, enabling effective feeding.
Q: What is the ambush strategy in predation, and which modern predators use it?
A: The ambush strategy involves waiting in a concealed spot to catch unsuspecting prey. Modern examples include crocodiles and venomous snakes.
Q: What distinguishes pursuit predators from other hunting strategies?
A: Pursuit predators, like wolves and wild dogs, rely on endurance to chase prey over long distances, rather than relying on speed
Q: How do social predators like lions benefit from cooperative hunting?
A: Cooperative hunting allows social predators to surround prey or drive it into ambushes, increasing the chances of a successful hunt.
Q: What evidence suggests that Velociraptor had binocular vision?
A: The forward-facing eyes of Velociraptor indicate that it had binocular vision, providing good depth perception necessary for hunting.
Q: What does the “Fighting Dinosaurs” fossil reveal about predator-prey interactions?
A: The “Fighting Dinosaurs” fossil shows an interaction between Velociraptor and Protoceratops, illustrating the dynamics of predation during the time they lived.
Q: What is the significance of the Albertosaurus bone bed discovery?
A: The concentration of Albertosaurus skeletons suggests possible social behavior or mass death due to environmental factors, but interpretations remain cautious.
Q: How might juvenile Ankylosaurs like Pinacosaurus have exhibited different defensive behaviors compared to adults?
A: Juvenile Ankylosaurs may have herded for safety due to their lack of armor, whereas adults, equipped with armor and tail clubs, likely lived more solitary lives for better defense.
Q: What challenges do researchers face when interpreting dinosaur bone beds?
A: Researchers must differentiate between observations of fossil evidence and the conclusions drawn, as multiple individuals found together do not necessarily indicate group living.
Q: How do environmental factors influence the behavior of predators in the fossil record?
A: Environmental events, such as floods or droughts, can lead to the concentration of predator fossils, indicating potential group behaviors or survival strategies.
