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I think someone may have posted this already, but in case not: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/t-rex-skin-was-not-covered-feathers-study-says-18096360

by kkylin 9y ago

I think someone may have posted this already, but in case not: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/t-rex-skin-was-not-covered-feathers-study-says-180963603/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/t-rex-skin-was-not... "T. Rex Was Likely Covered in Scales, Not Feathers" What I don't understand is how something the size of T rex doesn't just die from heat shock whenever it breaks into a sprint. I vaguely recall reading somewhere that one of the dangers facing beached whales is that they start to overheat rapidly. Did big dinosaurs just live in cooler environments? Do they have better ways to dissipate heat? Did they like dipping in lakes and ponds? I'm sure someone would have asked these questions already, but no idea what current thinking in the field is...

saget 9y ago
Whales have a lot of fat (and I'm assuming other insulating tools) to keep them warm in cold water, their bodies aren't designed to be beached in warm air under the sun. Elephants, while not as large as a trex, can survive the hot African savanna no problem so I feel evolution could handle making a trex live in moderate temperatures without to much of a problem
- kkylin 9y ago
  True, good point!
- srean 9y ago
  The question, though, is with or without feathers. Elephants have huge head radiators and no plumage, so there is a point to the article
pvaldes 9y ago
Many african big predators chase at night and sleep all day.