A while ago, I was looking at a program on Vertebrate Paleontology when a question was asked that really got my attention. The scientist in question were analyzing the structure of the Tyranasaurus Rex. They were all stumped while trying to figure out a very puzzling question:

What were its forearms used for?

By studying the exact location of these limbs on its torso, it was determined that they were far too short to either hold prey or to use as a weapon. They were also too small to assist the animal get to it feet in case it fell over. Even while eating, these arms were too short to lift anything to this animals massive mouth. So....

Can anyone here offer any type of explanation as to how these small forearms could have been used to assist this animal in any possible way? :confused:

They were used for picking their teeth. Eating all that raw meat meant lots of gobs got caught between their teeth. If you have ever eaten spare ribs you know how annoying that can be.

Can anyone here offer any type of explanation as to how these small forearms could have been used to assist this animal in any possible way? :confused:

Maybe they didn't help it in any way. Perhaps just a stopping point in the evolution from a four-legged dinosaur to something with 2 legs and more useful arms.

Perhaps they were used for grasping their children and feeding them.

I read somewhere that the Tyranosaur was a carrion eater so the forearms were unnecessary. Their only use was probably for balance as the cute and cuddly creature stood upright.
In any event, T Rex has a bad reputation.


http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3921/trextm9.jpg

The T Rex's arms are analogous to:

* Tits on a Nun.

* AWD on the average 'soccer mom' suburban sport-utility.

* Nipples on a man.

* A brain inside the skull of Cynthia McKinney.

Sometimes some aberrant genetic shit just happens.
(Or words to that effect.)
:rolleyes:

Maybe they didn't help it in any way. Perhaps just a stopping point in the evolution from a four-legged dinosaur to something with 2 legs and more useful arms.

Sounds very logical :(

* A brain inside the skull of Cynthia McKinney.

In other words, a vestigial entity?

Maybe they didn't help it in any way. Perhaps just a stopping point in the evolution from a four-legged dinosaur to something with 2 legs and more useful arms.
================================
or wings.

Now there's an image ... T-Rex with real wings. Yeehhaaaaa!

They were used for picking their teeth. Eating all that raw meat meant lots of gobs got caught between their teeth. If you have ever eaten spare ribs you know how annoying that can be.
I'm sure your being sarcastic, but being the paleo nerd I am I just gotta point that Big-T can't reach its mouth, and in fact could not even clap its hands together.

Lionelhutz, I think your explaination is completly right. T-Rex was a carnivorous, two legged animal. It's enormous head and jaws where all it needed to survive. Think about a shark. They don't need arms.

Maybe they didn't help it in any way. Perhaps just a stopping point in the evolution from a four-legged dinosaur to something with 2 legs and more useful arms.


I'd agree with this perhaps with the change that the arms were on their way to being removed altogether. Perhaps the arms were small due to being atrophied from non-use and were being deleted. Just a thought.

I'd agree with this perhaps with the change that the arms were on their way to being removed altogether. Perhaps the arms were small due to being atrophied from non-use and were being deleted. Just a thought.

Also quite possible.