Page 53 - Dinosaur (DK Eyewitness Books)

PLODDING GIANT
Large sauropods, such as Vulcanodon, trudged along Tibia Massive
very slowly. Their solid limb bones and short tibia
shin, foot, and toe bones had evolved
not for running, but to support a High
huge, heavy body. Most sauropods ankle joint
did not need to run fast. They
were large enough to ignore
most theropod predators. Long Low ankle
metatarsal Short joint
metatarsal
Phalanx Phalanx

Hallux

THEROPOD’S FOOT SAUROPOD’S FOOT
Vulcanodon Predatory dinosaurs get their collective Diplodocus‘s hind limbs were thick
name—theropods (“beast feet”)—from and strong to bear its heavy weight.
their sharp, curved claws, like those Each of the pillarlike legs rested on
on this Tyrannosaurus foot. A typical a broad, five-toed foot. Like other
theropod foot had three main, dinosaurs, sauropods walked on
forward-pointing toes, and a little their toes, but beneath the toe
Pillarlike limb hallux (big toe) that had evolved into and foot bones lay supporting
a spur (spike) at the back of the foot, fibrous heels. The legs and feet of a
and was too short to touch the ground. sauropod resembled an elephant’s.

ON THE RUN
Some scientists think that
Allosaurus’s powerful legs drove this
predator along at up to 20 mph (32 kph) when it
was chasing prey. But a large and short-armed
Powerful theropod, such as an Allosaurus, risked serious injury
thigh
if it fell while running fast. Perhaps this explains
signs of breakage and mending in 14 ribs in a
skeleton of an Allosaurus. Or maybe the ribs
were damaged in some other way? Many scientists
do not believe that this theropod’s legs were
capable of speeds greater than a human jogger.

High ankle

Weight-bearing
toes