A L L O S A U R U S
Introduction
skeleton
species
feeding &hunting
intraspecific interactions
relatives
habitat
links

Intraspecific Interactions

It is not at all unusual to find the remains of more than one Allosaurus skeleton in close proximity to one another, and in some cases, such as the Clevland-Lloyd quarry, the bones of hundreds of individuals are found jumbled together. From this we can infer Allosaurus was, if not a social animal, not certainly not afraid to gather in groups.

Family Life
A 1998 discovery in Wyoming revealed what seems to be an allosaur nest. Remains of adults and very young individuals were found together, as well numerous herbivore bones. These herbivore bones bore gnaw marks from adults and infants alike. This indicates that allosaurs may have brought food to their young.

Communication
Presently it certainly can not be determined if Allosaurus was capable any vocal communication beyond a hiss. Since their closest living relatives, birds an crocodiles, are capable of vocalization, it is generally accepted that Allosaurus probably was too. It is almost certain that Allosaurus use visual communication to some degree; The ornamentation on its skull is evidence of this. In life, its lacrimal crests were probably vividly colored. Head-bobbing rituals may have been a key element in courtship and warding off rivals. Also, with those huge jaws bristling with teeth, it is hard not to imagine an open-mouthed gape being used as a threat display.

Cooperative Hunting
Some fossil trackways seem to show groups of large theropods (though not specifically Allosaurus) stalking and perhaps persuing large sauropods. This evidence, along with the fact Allosaurus gathered in groups, indicates Allosaurus may have been a pack hunter. Since sauropods were often ten times the size of a lone allosaur, a group using some form of cooperative hunting bring down such massive prey much more quickly more safely than an individual.


comments?
Sign GuestBook | View GuestBook
or email me: [email protected]
1
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws