The Debate about the Diet of Tyrannosaurus rex
An ecology case study
Image Source: http://www.arizonaskiesmeteorites.com/Dinosaur_Fossils_For_Sale/T_rex_fossils_Tyrannosaurus_rex/Tyrannosaurus_rex.jpg
All following video clips excerpted from Valley of the T-rex, Discovery Channel
1. Introduction to the Case Study, Click Here
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/valley-of-the-t-rex-challenging-t-rex-as-a-hunter.html
and view the video below.
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_Xq8r2maIw&feature=related
2. Here is some background about T-rex, Click Here
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/dinotemplates/Trex2.shtml
3. Read the article about the Lion, Click Here . What adaptations allow the lion to be a predator? Source: http://www.lpzoo.org/animals/factsheet.php?contentID=182
4. Read the article about the Vulture, Click Here and Click Here .
What adaptations allow the vulture to be a scavenger? Source: http://animal.discovery.com/birds/vulture/ and http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/printouts/Vultureprintout.shtml
5. Understanding that most carnivores can be predators at times and scavengers at other times, what are signs or pieces of evidence that an organism is usually a predator? What are signs or pieces of evidence that an organism is usually a scavenger?
6. Watch the following clips about T-rex. Take notes while viewing to answer the following question: Does the evidence suggest that T-Rex is predator or scavenger? Explain. Do you accept this evidence? Are there flaws in the evidence?
Speed of T-rex, Click Here
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/valley-of-the-t-rex-this-dino-was-not-a-runner.html
Brain of T-rex, Click Here
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/valley-of-the-t-rex-brain-clues.html
7. Explore more by completing a game,
Click Here (flash version - requires flash 6 plugin) or Click Here (HTML version)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/dinosaurs-other-extinct-creatures/trex-quiz/kq.html
8. Also read this online debate, Click Here
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t17997.html
YOU DECIDE:
9. Was T-rex primarily a scavenger or predator? What other information or evidence would help you make a decision? Post your answer as 1-2 paragraphs below in the comments field.
10. After you make a decision, complete the poll below.
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