Scientists have discoveredbones of a pterodactyl – a gigantic flying reptile – in the pit of a Velociraptor’s stomachwho lived in the Gobi Desert (present-day Mongolia) 75 million years ago. The findings suggest that this dinosaur, a carnivore with sickle-shaped claws, may have been primarily ascavenger, since the devoured pterosaur was too big to be considered prey for him.
The Velociraptor were not much taller than a current domestic turkey, but it was thought to be a voracious predator, as the famous movie spread on the big screen.Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg. However, in view of the remains found, “it would be difficult and probably even dangerous for the small theropod dinosaur to confront a pterosaur with a wingspan of 2 meters or more, unless the pterosaur was already sick or injured,” says David. Hone, a biologist at University College Dublin (Ireland) and co-author of the study that publishes the journalPalaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology and Palaeoecology. “Therefore, it is more likely that the pterosaur bone that we have identified in the digestive system of theVelociraptor was ripped from a corpse and not the result of hunting a predator. “
The bone, found in the dinosaur’s rib cage, in the space that would correspond to the stomach, measured 75 millimeters. The surface of the bone is smooth, without marks or deformations, possibly due to the action of digestive acids. Evidence of the feeding of theropod dinosaurs, such as theVelociraptor or thetyrannosaurus rex, are rare in the fossil record.
