the accepted story

Space/Science » in reply to Why does T. Rex have vestigial forelegs?

the accepted story

Nick Hoffman — 3/27/2009 3:55:11 AM (archived)

is that they were used to manipulate prey whilst feeding.

Whilst not strong enough to participate in holding and killing live prey, they are good for fine manipulation of dead or immobile prey - like the palps of crabs and lobsters, for instance...

The whole thread (27 posts)

Why does T. Rex have vestigial forelegs? - ER - 3/27/2009 2:50:11 AM
- Any chance it's a mistake? - mip - 3/27/2009 10:20:41 PM
  - Don't think so. - TB - 3/28/2009 4:03:19 AM
- They can still manipulate things. - et - 3/27/2009 9:37:38 PM
- Grooming - E.P. - 3/27/2009 6:49:23 PM
  - Mating was my guess - RobVG - 3/27/2009 11:01:47 PM
    - How else can they light cigarettes afterwards? - TB - 3/28/2009 4:06:48 AM
  - "And doesn't this whole question belong on off topic?" - ER - 3/27/2009 7:41:58 PM
    - Solidly on-toppic (n/t) - RobVG - 3/27/2009 11:05:37 PM
    - I've no problem with this Thread on the Space board. - moderite podrock - 3/27/2009 8:52:36 PM
- My hypothesis - podrock - 3/27/2009 4:34:03 PM
- re: Why does T. Rex have vestigial forelegs? - Laurie Street - 3/27/2009 3:37:57 PM
- To hold their pants up. - TB - 3/27/2009 2:39:05 PM
  - Thanks for digging that quote up. - ER - 3/27/2009 2:48:29 PM
    - The REAL reason T. Rex had those arms... - Socrates II - 3/27/2009 4:08:22 PM
- re: Why does T. Rex have vestigial forelegs? - RobVG - 3/27/2009 1:30:37 PM
- I am afraid, gentlemen, that none of thes ideas holds up, - ER - 3/27/2009 1:07:08 PM
  - Maybe they used them when they were young hatchlings - mip - 3/27/2009 8:40:09 PM
  - For the oldest function of all - Socrates II - 3/27/2009 1:12:34 PM
- One Idea: The were simply left-over evolutionary garbage, like nipples on male mammals. (n/t) - David F Mayer - 3/27/2009 11:50:43 AM
- Mutation - SDAI-Tech1 - 3/27/2009 9:35:55 AM
- the accepted story - Nick Hoffman - 3/27/2009 3:55:11 AM
- Digging nests? Manipulating eggs, young? (n/t) - Bowser - 3/27/2009 3:42:37 AM
  - Operate the Keyboards or TV Remote? - carl - 3/27/2009 2:19:51 PM
    - Or their digital watches? (n/t) - TB - 3/28/2009 2:13:00 PM
- re: Why does T. Rex have vestigial forelegs? - Hans - 3/27/2009 3:42:01 AM
  - Don't know if this has changed - Socrates II - 3/27/2009 12:51:32 PM

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The whole thread (27 posts)