uicksilver workshopThe robotic arm failed. Clear evidence that the raptor did not chase down its quarry, then, reaching out with a single hooked claw, impale the front quarter of its prey and let the poor piece of meat disembowel itself, no?
The researchers here quantified the muscle strength of the raptor's killing arm yes, but did they consider the foot pound force required to pull its claw from its sheath?
Given that the referenced article compares to the claw of a raptor to that of a common house cat, I think not.
If a man can catch a fish with his arm...a raptor can catch a running mid-sized mammal with its hook, and watch the thing hurtle on till it tears its own guts open.
Maybe it's me, but that sounds like it might be enough for a raptor to have been a predatory hunter.
But what do I know?
Labels: Paeleontology
