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Paleoecology of the Dinosaurs. The study of ancient interactions of organisms. Dinosaurs as Social Animals. Traveled in herds Migrated long distances Made nests Cared for their young. Maiasaura Nest. Predator/Prey Relationships. Meat-eating dinosaurs hunted in packs
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Paleoecology of the Dinosaurs The study of ancient interactions of organisms
Dinosaurs as Social Animals • Traveled in herds • Migrated long distances • Made nests • Cared for their young
Predator/Prey Relationships • Meat-eating dinosaurs hunted in packs • Plant-eating dinosaurs developed large size, horns, spikes, and hard armor to defend themselves
Bakker’s Theory on Predator/Prey Relationships and Internal Body Temperature • Endotherms require more energy than ectotherms, which is directly reflected in biomass • Uniform predator/prey biomass ratios • Endotherms: 1% to 3% • Ectotherms: 40% • Dinosaurs: 2% to 4%
Criticism to Bakker’s Theory • Assumed prey were same size as predators • Spatial, social, health factors also constrain predator populations, not just prey • Difficult to estimate true weight of dinosaurs • Preservation of dinosaur faunas can be very misleading • Because of these, his results can hardly be conclusive