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• TheTate   10 years ago

  Deinonychus likely also hunted in packs, too, though, so that's not a super great argument. Both of them are roughly the same size, so it seems like it would be a close fight. Both of them probably had a similar hunting style when in packs, and kinda similar styles to bring prey down. Wolves bite at the neck, rear, head, and sides and then blood loss or shock kills the prey. Deinonychus likely slashed at its prey using the back claws, and also let massive blood loss kill the prey. I think this would be pretty close, but I give it to the deinonychus, 6 times out of 10. Something tells me one good slash that hits the throat or neck of the wolf would do some serious damage.

  Editing your comment: Deinonychus likely also hunted in packs, too, though, so that's not a super great argument. Both of them are roughly the same size, so it seems like it would be a close fight. Both of them probably had a similar hunting style when in packs, and kinda similar styles to bring prey down. Wolves bite at the neck, rear, head, and sides and then blood loss or shock kills the prey. Deinonychus likely slashed at its prey using the back claws, and also let massive blood loss kill the prey. I think this would be pretty close, but I give it to the deinonychus, 6 times out of 10. Something tells me one good slash that hits the throat or neck of the wolf would do some serious damage.

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• thriggle   10 years ago

  Hmm, I wonder though if the wolf's thick fur would constitute an effective defense against the slashing claw, which--like the saber teeth of extinct mammal predators--was probably too specialized to be useful in combat outside of the sudden leap attack. Throw in the deinonychus's hollow bones and I think the wolf would have the advantage in a straight contest of strength. The outcome would largely rest on whether the deinonychus could successfully pin the wolf in the first strike.

  Editing your comment: Hmm, I wonder though if the wolf's thick fur would constitute an effective defense against the slashing claw, which--like the saber teeth of extinct mammal predators--was probably too specialized to be useful in combat outside of the sudden leap attack. Throw in the deinonychus's hollow bones and I think the wolf would have the advantage in a straight contest of strength. The outcome would largely rest on whether the deinonychus could successfully pin the wolf in the first strike.

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• Grimlock08   10 years ago

  I read/heard somewhere that the "Kkill claws" on dromaeosaurids were not really slashing weapons, rather than stabbing weapons and climbing tools.

  Editing your comment: I read/heard somewhere that the "Kkill claws" on dromaeosaurids were not really slashing weapons, rather than stabbing weapons and climbing tools.

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• thriggle   10 years ago

  This 2005 study suggests as much http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1617199/ but most previous analysis assumes it has a unique foot weapon; one suggested reason for its comparatively short (and otherwise evolutionarily disadvantageous) legs is that it could have struck downward and backward with its talons without overstressing its leg bones. (Thank you, Wikipedia). But hey, even if the big ol' claw is just for the tackle-grip, I stand by my previous comment!

  Editing your comment: This 2005 study suggests as much http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1617199/ but most previous analysis assumes it has a unique foot weapon; one suggested reason for its comparatively short (and otherwise evolutionarily disadvantageous) legs is that it could have struck downward and backward with its talons without overstressing its leg bones. (Thank you, Wikipedia). But hey, even if the big ol' claw is just for the tackle-grip, I stand by my previous comment!

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• tstroyerfosho   10 years ago

  the raptors would win

  Editing your comment: the raptors would win

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• thriggle   10 years ago

  I think we need to doodle all the potential wolf vs deinonychus scenarios, for the sake of science

  Editing your comment: I think we need to doodle all the potential wolf vs deinonychus scenarios, for the sake of science

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• Grimlock08   10 years ago

  A coniferous forest is a suitable habitat for both specimens, correct?

  Editing your comment: A coniferous forest is a suitable habitat for both specimens, correct?

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• thriggle   10 years ago

  Sounds good to me! For fairness, we could conduct experimental battles in a variety of habitats. (I have a feeling the wolf would have an advantage in snow, the deinonychus in the tropics.)

  Editing your comment: Sounds good to me! For fairness, we could conduct experimental battles in a variety of habitats. (I have a feeling the wolf would have an advantage in snow, the deinonychus in the tropics.)

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• tstroyerfosho   10 years ago (edited: 10 years ago)

  wolves and those kind of raptors are about the same size like 2 feet... i think both kinds were prominent in north america

  Editing your comment: wolves and those kind of raptors are about the same size like 2 feet... i think both kinds were prominent in north america

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