Discovered in the Jinju Formation in South Korea, each of the footprints measures about 1 cm (0.4 in) long. Although they resemble modern bird tracks, they only have two toes, indicating they were made by raptors. That's because raptors, as you might remember from Jurassic Park, hold their clawed third toe off the ground in a curved position.
"These 110-million-year-old footprints and trackways were made by carnivorous dinosaurs commonly known as raptors," says Anthony Romilio, an author of the study. "The diminutive sizes of these new tracks are extraordinary; the tracks were made by tiny dinosaurs about the size of sparrows. They are the world's smallest dinosaur tracks."
How long before they find dinosaur tracks that dead-end at tire tracks that lead away?
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Wednesday November 21 2018, @04:15AM (5 children)
Is "sparrow sized" their mature size, or are these tracks from the cutesey-wutesy young ones which only bite the tip of your finger off?
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday November 21 2018, @07:51AM (2 children)
I was thinking more along feline lines. Kitties that grow to 500 pounds aren't especially cute, or cuddly, so we don't bring them home for pets. Kitties that weigh between 2 and maybe as much as 20 pounds are manageable. And, if we get tired of them, we can always dispose of them. Funny, though, that we don't make pets of Norway rats.
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Wednesday November 21 2018, @10:27AM (1 child)
What planet are you on? Tiger cubs are just as cute as kittens. Google "Jan Lindblad" for a counterpoint to your view.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday November 21 2018, @11:04AM
Yes, cute before they grow to hundreds of pounds. As they near maturity, they lose cuteness, and begin to take on the beauty and majesty of a predatory cat. Pretty much the same with humans, except most humans lack any majesty.
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Wednesday November 21 2018, @08:34AM (1 child)
Carnivorous.
Raptor.
"Cute" is not the word.
Cute - they can't help it, they were drawn that way [youtube.com]
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Wednesday November 21 2018, @10:23AM
Mate, have you even seen baby crocodiles? They're adorable!
Just keep your fingers away from them.