I actually didn't realize I colored it similar to the new find of colored dinosaurs until I was about done. I prefer this color for more simple colors so I use it when I'm moving quickly. I was trying to go for a more watercolored look, but Photoshop can't really do that so it's just a quicky. Oh well, maybe next time I'll get closer.Best,
Brett
Nice image, what were the large claws used for?
ReplyDeleteMarco.
No one knows for sure. It's been theorized that they might be for defense, digging into termite mounds or gathering plants. I lean toward defense since Tarbosaurus was living right along side of it:)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Brett
Being the unguals so very elongated, it's also possible that they were a sexually selected feature, as the horns of modern bovids and cervids.
ReplyDeletethey seem quite large for claws, is it possible that the original reconstruction of the animal was inaccurate? sort of like the iguanadon scenario with the head horn?.
ReplyDeleteMarco.
Hi Brett!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the old drawing with the termite-eater therizinosaur? Well, I think that was great, but this is superb.
P. S. I've been away a while and my blog [geomythology.blogspot.com] was left blank. Last post was the Darren Naish's new book review (with a Naish's comment), a lot of time ago...but I'm very busy. Soon I'll post two short articles.
Keep up the good work (and compliments for your Shaochilong skull reconstruction!)
Leo
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought about that, interesting.
Marco,
The arms were originally thought to be from a turtle, but after rigorous investigation they are sure they from a theropod dinosaur. All therizinosaurs seem to have large claws, this one seems to have just taken it to the extreme.
Hi Leo:)
I actually posted that image a week ago or so:) I noticed the lack of posts but I know everyone needs some down time:) You're in my blog list so I'll know when you get around to it:) Darren Naish is taking a bit of a break as well, sometimes life gets in the way of blogging;)
Thanks! I really need to do some new art, my regular job has been taking all my time as well.
Best,
Brett
Brett,
ReplyDeletealthough often forgotten, sexual selection is an important evolutionary force. In dinosaurs I think it was a very relevant factor, as in modern birds: although not the only factor involved, it explains very well why many dinosaurs evolved spikes, horns, sails, crests...
Marco,
most therizinosaurs genera (Falcarius, Beipiaosaurus, Alxasaurus, Eshansaurus) have deep strongly curved claws. The genus Therizinosaurus (remember that not all therizinosaurs are Therizinosaurus) has very long and poorly curved unguals. The longest ungual known was about 60 cm long. That ungual was in life the bony support of the true claw, the latter being probabily longer than the bony claw itself. So, Brett's drawing is probably a good interpretation of the claws' shape.
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI agree, I just never thought of claws as a form of sexual selection. But, it might explain why they are so very large:)
Best,
Brett
very interesting, thanks for clearing things up guys. hyperthetically if the claws were used for excavating insects mounds, would this be an adaptation for larger insects and consequently larger and thicker mounds or were the invertebrates of the day not that large?
ReplyDeleteMarco.
The insect hypothesis is no longer considered a good explanation of therizinosaur anatomy. Therizinosaur skull and pelvis are adapted for herbivory.
ReplyDeleteThe dinosaurs best adapted for eating insects and excavating insect nests are the tiny alvarezsaurids.