Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Was the Tyrannosaurus rex fast or slow? (Featuring Dr. John Hutchinson)
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Apr 29, 2025 Dr. John Hutchinson, a leading professor of evolutionary biomechanics, dives into the intriguing world of how large animals like the Tyrannosaurus rex might have moved. He shares fascinating insights on the biomechanics of extinct giants and compares their locomotion to that of modern-day creatures like elephants. The discussion touches on the complexities of studying movement, the limitations of technology, and even the ethical considerations in animal research. Humor and engaging anecdotes make complex topics accessible and entertaining.
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Square-Cube Law Limits Size
- The square-cube law limits animal size because weight increases faster than supportive area as animals grow larger.
- Large land animals adapt by straightening their legs to transmit force efficiently and support their weight like pillars.
Elephants Running Anecdote
- John Hutchinson studied elephant movement by encouraging elephants in Thailand to run fast using familiar stimuli and encouragement from their handlers.
- He discovered elephants never go fully airborne but sometimes have only one foot on the ground while the others are airborne, like doing splits in midair.
Modeling Dinosaur Movement
- Scientists reconstruct extinct dinosaurs’ movement by combining living animal anatomy with physics-based computer models.
- This approach allows estimation of dinosaurs' muscle placement and likely movement capabilities, constrained by fossils and living relatives' anatomy.