13 October 2010

The Monstress little question #2

How do we know what noises dinosaurs made?

Dinosaurs are extinct, right? And Dorothy never growls or vociferates. So, on what basis do four-year-olds run around roaring and bellowing when they are 'being dinosaurs'?

For a start, we know dinosaurs probably made noises because they had very good hearing. If they could hear sounds, they could probably make sounds.

Like modern-day birds and reptiles, dinosaurs probably made noises to signal that they were horny, that danger was lurking or that they needed first aid. Babies may have made sounds to let adults know they were hungry or in strife.

Some supposed dino noises are just guesswork to make TV shows more interesting but some simulations may come close to the real thing.

Here's one way we know:

Some dinosaurs had crests on top of their heads that probably filled with air when the animals breathed. As air was pushed through these crests, they likely made a deep bellowing sound, like a horn.

Scientists unearthed an almost complete parasaurolophus fossil crest in New Mexico. This gave them some big clues.

Using a CT scan, the dino-geeks found air chambers a bit like trombones in the crest. They made a computer model of them. Then, knowing the size and shape of the air passages, they could figure out what tones and pitches the passages could produce.

Listen to the sound of a dinosaur here (then practice imitating so you can demonstrate for any misguided preschoolers).

Next question: how would you make a dinosaur sound in a text message?

3 comments:

  1. Hehe I was probably one of those dinosaurs that go, HAHA.. .:P But a dinosaur through text message..."RAWWW" (like a tiger but you know, dinosaur like :P )

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  2. Funny, that little pink dinosaur bears a striking resemblance to you. LOL

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  3. Hahaha lol :P A little resemblance there I see heheh :)

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