Im a believer - Dinosaurs = Birds
March 28th 2007 03:54
Even though I do really believe there ARE real dinosaurs on the planet somewhere(call me crazy, most people do) I am a complete believer in the dinosaurs = birds evolution theory. Now, it is a biased theory, because we can look at the bones, think, "Ok, thats how they moved, thats how they looked" but lets be honest, we cant ever actually really KNOW. The 'Jurassic Park' movies have been a great one for pushing this theory, not only in the characters beliefs and words but in the actual portrayal of the dinosaurs themselves.
Im a lover of all things reptilian. The early dinosaur projects were like cotten candy(fairy floss, auzzies) to me. My favourite dinosaur was the Tyrannasaurus Rex, until I saw Jurassic Park....And it quickly became raptors.
First, a clarification. Did you know that Velociraptor is actually quite small? Less than half the size of a person, actually. When making the famous movies, Speilberg had his techs ringing a lovely author named Robert t Bakker (and his associates) for the exact skin of Triceratops, the teeth of T Rex. When it came to the raptor they had troubles - Speilberg wanted exact bones to work with, but none were large enough. He didnt want to just enlarge a small one - he wanted a big one. They are the stars of all three movies! What to do?
The Question was hanging in debate when a young amatuer Bob Gaston dug up a SUPER raptor claw - the first ever discovered GIANT raptor, conveniantly Speilberg sized. I guess Spielberg thought 'veloceraptor' sounded cooler than the alternative, but the real name of the giant raptor is 'utahraptor' named for her location.
(Source, 'Raptor Red' by Robert T. Bakker)
Now, lets talk about Indian Mynah birds. All Auzzies know the little critters, check out any maccas car park, and they'll be there. They were recently voted 'Australias most hated pest' and are also dubbed 'rats with wings'. I tried to hate them like everyone else, I really did, but the animal lover/trainer in me saw something the general populace did not, as they say in Jurassic Park, They're SMART. While we were living in the Beaches directly across from a maccas car park, I got to watch the little buggers. The longer I looked, the more they looked like RAPTORS. Now, the word raptor means, technically, 'bird of prey', and no dinosaur is specifically called 'raptor'. 'Velociraptor' means 'mongolian speedy raptor' and 'Dienonychus' means 'terrible claw', but bird of prey is the relating term. The Indian Mynah is NOT a bird of prey such as a hawk or eagle, it is a scavenger, pure and simple. However, obviously none of the animals have read the books or seen the movies to know the difference, because these little guys MOVE like raptors.
Of course, this is only if Spielberg is to be believed. Ordinarily I would say no, but considering the amount of research that was undertaken, the liason with actual dinosaur experts and the utter desperation to find actual bones on which to mould the characters, I would have to say, this one time, yes, you can believe what they say in the movies. Watch the Mynah move. The head bobs, the swaying, the quick pecks with the beak. We are lucky they've been downsized, let me tell you. After a few years of watching them in awe, I decided, Ive got to have one! I took up a real interest in them - Just recently I heard that they have become even more of a pest due to rolling eggs out of nests to put in their own. They did not do this five years ago, they have learned it from cuckoos. Smart does not begin to describe them. I always thought they would be a lively pet and easy to train.
Ive had to remand that last statement, as I HAVE one for a pet now. A lively pet they are(eating noodles in this house will never be the same again) but trainable they are not. Too smart. Reverse psychology is needed. Example - Being social, she flew to mum the other day. Mum said "Im going downstairs - go to your mother" Najara answered "raak" and stayed on her shoulder. I said "tell her to stay with you" She did - said "ok, stay with me and we'll play...." Instantly she flew to me.
Having a little dinosaur in the house has been extremely enlightening on the dinosaurs = birds subject. I was already drawing lines between Turtle/laceneck dove and brontosaurus(watch the way they lazily potter about with those long necks) Ducks and duckbills (obvious?) and eagles and the T rex. But watching her every minute I see more and more evidence that the physiology of a Mynah is EXACTLY that of a raptors, I could almost believe the great reptiles in the movie were modeled on Mynah birds, instead of ancient skeletons, the likeness is so complete.
The final and(to me) the most important little piece of evidence? The giant raptor claw. You all know Dr Grant carried a giant claw in his back pocket throughout the movies. Designed for gripping and slashing, it was the raptors most powerful weapon.
Ive seen it up close. Ive been mauled by it. My shoulders are gaining scratches and callouses due to her hectic landings. The Mynah bird's foot, EXACTLY matches that of a raptor. Not resembles or has similar aspects - it is exactly the same, right down to that wicked claw hanging out the back.
What do you think? Or, perhaps I should say, see the movies again, watch your garden awhile, and THEN tell me what you think.
Im a lover of all things reptilian. The early dinosaur projects were like cotten candy(fairy floss, auzzies) to me. My favourite dinosaur was the Tyrannasaurus Rex, until I saw Jurassic Park....And it quickly became raptors.
First, a clarification. Did you know that Velociraptor is actually quite small? Less than half the size of a person, actually. When making the famous movies, Speilberg had his techs ringing a lovely author named Robert t Bakker (and his associates) for the exact skin of Triceratops, the teeth of T Rex. When it came to the raptor they had troubles - Speilberg wanted exact bones to work with, but none were large enough. He didnt want to just enlarge a small one - he wanted a big one. They are the stars of all three movies! What to do?
The Question was hanging in debate when a young amatuer Bob Gaston dug up a SUPER raptor claw - the first ever discovered GIANT raptor, conveniantly Speilberg sized. I guess Spielberg thought 'veloceraptor' sounded cooler than the alternative, but the real name of the giant raptor is 'utahraptor' named for her location.
(Source, 'Raptor Red' by Robert T. Bakker)
Now, lets talk about Indian Mynah birds. All Auzzies know the little critters, check out any maccas car park, and they'll be there. They were recently voted 'Australias most hated pest' and are also dubbed 'rats with wings'. I tried to hate them like everyone else, I really did, but the animal lover/trainer in me saw something the general populace did not, as they say in Jurassic Park, They're SMART. While we were living in the Beaches directly across from a maccas car park, I got to watch the little buggers. The longer I looked, the more they looked like RAPTORS. Now, the word raptor means, technically, 'bird of prey', and no dinosaur is specifically called 'raptor'. 'Velociraptor' means 'mongolian speedy raptor' and 'Dienonychus' means 'terrible claw', but bird of prey is the relating term. The Indian Mynah is NOT a bird of prey such as a hawk or eagle, it is a scavenger, pure and simple. However, obviously none of the animals have read the books or seen the movies to know the difference, because these little guys MOVE like raptors.
Of course, this is only if Spielberg is to be believed. Ordinarily I would say no, but considering the amount of research that was undertaken, the liason with actual dinosaur experts and the utter desperation to find actual bones on which to mould the characters, I would have to say, this one time, yes, you can believe what they say in the movies. Watch the Mynah move. The head bobs, the swaying, the quick pecks with the beak. We are lucky they've been downsized, let me tell you. After a few years of watching them in awe, I decided, Ive got to have one! I took up a real interest in them - Just recently I heard that they have become even more of a pest due to rolling eggs out of nests to put in their own. They did not do this five years ago, they have learned it from cuckoos. Smart does not begin to describe them. I always thought they would be a lively pet and easy to train.
Ive had to remand that last statement, as I HAVE one for a pet now. A lively pet they are(eating noodles in this house will never be the same again) but trainable they are not. Too smart. Reverse psychology is needed. Example - Being social, she flew to mum the other day. Mum said "Im going downstairs - go to your mother" Najara answered "raak" and stayed on her shoulder. I said "tell her to stay with you" She did - said "ok, stay with me and we'll play...." Instantly she flew to me.
Having a little dinosaur in the house has been extremely enlightening on the dinosaurs = birds subject. I was already drawing lines between Turtle/laceneck dove and brontosaurus(watch the way they lazily potter about with those long necks) Ducks and duckbills (obvious?) and eagles and the T rex. But watching her every minute I see more and more evidence that the physiology of a Mynah is EXACTLY that of a raptors, I could almost believe the great reptiles in the movie were modeled on Mynah birds, instead of ancient skeletons, the likeness is so complete.
The final and(to me) the most important little piece of evidence? The giant raptor claw. You all know Dr Grant carried a giant claw in his back pocket throughout the movies. Designed for gripping and slashing, it was the raptors most powerful weapon.
Ive seen it up close. Ive been mauled by it. My shoulders are gaining scratches and callouses due to her hectic landings. The Mynah bird's foot, EXACTLY matches that of a raptor. Not resembles or has similar aspects - it is exactly the same, right down to that wicked claw hanging out the back.
What do you think? Or, perhaps I should say, see the movies again, watch your garden awhile, and THEN tell me what you think.
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Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
they may be like dinosaurs but they appear to be like teenagers too K...really interesting post. I find dinosaurs amazing creatures myself. My godson knows them by heart and can tell you what they ate, what they look like...complete with their proper names...he`s 4!
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
She acts more like a toddler, I think. The teenager is Zayf, always looking ironically sarcastic, saying "I dont have to do what you say - who the hell do you think you are? Im going to my room!"