Recent findings from Mongolia have uncovered fossilized footprints that hint at some dinosaurs being able to sprint as fast as top cyclists. This exciting discovery reshapes our understanding of how these ancient creatures moved and highlights the speed of smaller dinosaurs.
Footprints provide a unique glimpse into dinosaur behavior. Unlike bones, they reveal how dinosaurs actually moved. The tracks from Mongolia, dating back about 120 million years, showcase a medium-sized dinosaur likely from the Eubrontidae family, thought to have reached impressive speeds of around 45 kilometers per hour.
The tracks were found in Cretaceous sediments and represent two types of dinosaurs. One set belongs to a large theropod moving slowly, while the other shows a medium-sized dinosaur sprinting. This speed suggests that smaller theropods could be quite agile and fast. The authors of the study noted, “This speed represents the fastest known theropod trackway in the Cretaceous period.”
Research shows that biomechanical models indicate large theropods usually walked or ran slowly, while medium-sized ones could achieve higher speeds. This discovery confirms long-standing theories, reinforcing what scientists believed about dinosaur locomotion.
So, how do scientists measure dinosaur speed from footprints? First, they estimate the dinosaur’s size from the footprints. Next, they measure the distance between steps to determine the stride length. If the ratio of stride length to hip height exceeds 2.9, it’s a sign the dinosaur was running. The theropod from Mongolia scored a remarkable 5.25, confirming it was sprinting.
“The running speed of this mid-sized theropod aligns with predictions from biomechanical models,” the authors explained. This new evidence enhances our understanding of the capabilities of theropod dinosaurs.
In a related study published in Science China Earth Sciences, researchers delve deeper into the mechanics behind these findings, underscoring that medium-sized theropods were not only agile but also faster than previously believed. These discoveries contribute to a more complete picture of dinosaur life and their movement.
The discovery has sparked curiosity on social media, with people sharing thoughts about how dinosaurs might have interacted with their environment and evaded larger predators. As more evidence comes to light, our understanding of these amazing creatures continues to grow.
