Elite Raptor 007
MemberCompsognathusDec-11-2014 1:35 AMhey, what's up. this is a partially weird but not imposibble that a ceratopsian is partially CARNIVOROUS right ????, but studies had shown that After examining the beak and jaws, paleontologists reached the conclusion that Triceratops may have been partially carnivorous, probably scavenging after T-Rex, or even scaring smaller predators away from their kills.” Again, no one has actually studied this in detail, but, unlike the poison hypothesis, this idea is actually plausible.
a Paleontologist raised this point in a description of a Styracosaurus he drew a few years ago. As Witton pointed out, the scissor-like jaws of big ceratopsids were probably capable of slicing through flesh as well as plants, and it’s not unreasonable to think that these dinosaurs occasionally picked over meaty carcasses to supplement their diets with some protein. After all, as paleontologist Darren Naish has illustrated, cows and deer do the same thing today. Herbivores can indulge in a meaty meal, just as carnivores sometimes chomp fruit and greens. What we need now is someone to model how a Triceratops skull would handle munching on flesh and bone to put some more science behind the speculation.
Something Real
MemberTyrannosaurus RexDec-11-2014 3:24 AMELITE RAPTOR 007 - I've always felt that this was a very interesting (and somewhat disquieting) hypothesis! Indeed, it would be quite interesting if scientists were to provide a little more speculative data concerning the possible carnivorous inclinations of the ceratopsians. Of course, if this theory is found to be true, I'll never again be able to look at my pair of triceratops plushies that sit on my bed in quite the same light! ;)
JPCerato
MemberCompsognathusDec-11-2014 3:37 AMInteresting...never heard of this...now seeing it is quite plausible...Imagine a carnivorous Triceritops!
Dodgy...:0
Alphadino65
MemberTriceratopsDec-11-2014 10:15 AMThis is pure speculation, mostly based on the fact that hippos sometimes scavenge on kills.
But I see where this notion is coming from. Not all animals are pure carnivorous/herbivorous because they need to supplement vitamins and mineral that aren't in their normal diet.
One thing is for sure, ceratopsian beaks were lethal weapons. Triceratops would have used everything in its arsenal to fight any predator, especially T.rex. Sound, colour flushing, it's horns, and it's beak. I read somewhere that a Trike beak was strong enough to snap a T.rex's fibula (at least) in half.
Sci-Fi King25
MemberAllosaurusDec-11-2014 2:11 PMIt's possible. I personally believe that Triceratops ate carcasses if it was extremely hungry and happened to find one.
“Banana oil.”- George Takei, Gigantis: The Fire Monster
jpjoe84
MemberCompsognathusDec-11-2014 8:01 PMAwesome theory!!
If and when ceratopsian defeated an attacking predator would make sense for them to eat the carcass as a display for other predators?? I think so
"Mess with the heard and see what happens"
