Posted on 06/14/2019 8:58:45 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Previously, pterodactyls were thought to only be able to take to the air once they had grown to almost full size, just like birds or bats. This assumption was based on fossilised embryos of the creatures found in China that had poorly developed wings...
Another fundamental difference between baby pterodactyls, also known as flaplings, and baby birds or bats, is that they had no parental care and had to feed and look after themselves from birth. Their ability to fly gave them a lifesaving survival mechanism which they used to evade carnivorous dinosaurs. This ability also proved to be one of their biggest killers, as the demanding and dangerous process of flight led to many of them dying at a very early age.
The research has also challenged the current view that pterodactyls behaved in a similar way to birds and bats and has provided possible answers to some key questions surrounding these animals. Since flaplings were able to both fly and grow from birth, this provides a possible explanation as to why they were able to reach enormous wingspans, far larger than any historic or current species of bird or bat. How they were able to carry out this process will require further research, but it is a question that wouldn't have been posed without these recent developments in our understanding.
(Excerpt) Read more at eurekalert.org ...
Of course they did.
It’s their inference based on their analyses.
Amazing that they know that, but they really don’t know if they could or not... only guesswork...
No, it's science. Having a fixed belief is what you do, and you're projecting it onto what they do.
Haha!! The troopers dancing with her on stage is hilarious. I’ve seen that video.
How many Vietnam Vet Freepers were there for that show???
I’m a scientist.
I know how it works. I know how lay enthusiasts who write about it distort things. Not necessarily purposely or maliciously.
“Slack-jawed, wide-eyed, with the OMGSHESTHEMOSTBEAUTIFULWOMANIVEEVERSEEN! expression, followed by OMGIHOPEIDONTHAVEAZITONMYFACE!!!! look.”
Yup, you nailed it. That’s me, Mr Cool!
Haha!! You and every other young male that ever came into contact with Perfection In Female Form....
Interesting thing about reptiles. they grow throughout t heir whole life. At reptile family reunions kids say to their parents “my how you’ve grown”. Therefore God brought really young dinosaurs to the ark so they could live long enough to die off from the climate change but still be seen by Job.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.