Alphadino65
MemberTriceratopsDec-27-2013 8:54 PMFirstly, I want everyone to understand that is does not concern Spino vs Rex.
Secondly, the topic at hand.
Since Spinosaurus was discovered, theories concerning the function of it's sail have proposed concerning everything from thermo-regulation to status indication. But what if it was used for intimidation?
Many creatures today have structures on their bodies to make themselves look bigger and scarier, such as male lions, frilled lizards, and chameleons. When it comes to reptiles, these structures (e.g., frills, domes, dewlaps) are generally accompanied with colour-flushing to further intimidate an adversary.
Look at the size of Spinosaurus' sail in this image:
If you measure the height of each theropod up to their iliac crests (top of the pelvis), the Spinosaurus isn't that much taller than the T.rex or the Mapusaurus, but the neural spines make Spinosaurus look much larger, and thus far more intimidating. I doubt that any passing creature (e.g., Carcharadontosaurus) would not think twice before confronting a fully grown Spinosaurus with a sail of very bright colours.
If the above image was not to scale, here's another where Spinosaurus' size is scaled down a bit:
Lord Vader
MemberTyrannosaurus RexDec-27-2013 9:33 PMFirst of all, the image with the skeletons is NOT a good comparison, even though this is not a Rex vs Spino, it could quickly turn into one (solution, ignore ANYONE, who bring Rex and Spino size into this).
That said, the topic at hand.
Intimidation, mating purposes, and temperature regulation are the three most likely uses.
Jack of all trades. Master of none
Alphadino65
MemberTriceratopsDec-27-2013 9:41 PMI know what you mean MrHappy9097, that's why I included a second image.
And I agree with the three functions being the most likely. I only decided to concentrate on intimidation because almost everyone I spoke to (face to face) about Spinosaurus kept mentioning temperature regulation to be the main function, but didn't think the sail was really used for colour-flushing.
Thanks for your input.
DinoSteve93
MemberCompsognathusDec-28-2013 5:06 AMI agree with both of you. I always take the sail as a 'sex tool'. I always imagine male Spinosaurus used their vivid-coloured sail to attract females for mating, AND intimidate other males. Hmmm... maybe males had sails bigger thn those of females.
It's a pretty interesting thought, but, I have to assume we never know.
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x_paden_x
MemberCompsognathusDec-28-2013 11:48 AMDid you know, when parasaurlopus was first dicovered, they believed its horn like feature was a snorkel for underwater events 'n stuff, Now we know its for nasal calls, the echo for long distances....
These are some really good theroies...
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DinoSteve93
MemberCompsognathusDec-28-2013 11:57 AMThanks, and I know that. Pretty strange. I have an old dinosaur book that features them as "giant snorkeling ducks"!
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Lord Vader
MemberTyrannosaurus RexDec-28-2013 12:01 PMI've heard that theory too. What research has proven.
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Spinosaurus Rex
MemberCompsognathusDec-28-2013 2:32 PMThis guy just mentioned size, saying it was just the spine that made it look that big.
Lord Vader
MemberTyrannosaurus RexDec-28-2013 2:45 PMActually, he said that they are almost the same height at the pelvis, but the sail makes it look larger, thusly, more intimidating. Stay out of size though, is is purely the intimidation factor of that sail.
Jack of all trades. Master of none
Lord Vader
MemberTyrannosaurus RexDec-28-2013 3:19 PMBased off of most dipictions of their sizes, they are similar height to each other, but the sail makes it look a helluva lot taller than it would be without it. It's all just his opinion, and we have ours, so we don't HAVE to agree with it, just give it some consideration.
Jack of all trades. Master of none
Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusDec-28-2013 3:30 PMSpinosaurus may have used its sail for intimidaition, thermoregulation, display, or something else entirely. That said, it may have used its sail for more than one purpose.
Sci-Fi King25
MemberAllosaurusJan-03-2014 10:26 AMYeah...Like an Anole or Bird of Paradise. The female Spino might've had a smaller sail than the male. It probably was the amazing multi-purpose tool used by Spinosaurus.
“Banana oil.”- George Takei, Gigantis: The Fire Monster