Paleoworld- Troodon Dinosaur Genius (Part 3)

This is part 3 of an episode in the Paleoworld series called "Troodon: Dinosaur Genius". Dale Russel, an expert on dinosaur intelligence, calculated that if the dinosaur extinction had not occurred, Troodon, a smart and agile dinosaur would have evolved into a hypothetical creature called the "Dinosauroid". He based his theory on the fact that Troodon and the early mammals it preyed on had similar body to brain ratios. If the small mammals it hunted eventually evolved into us and all other mammals alive today, what would Troodon have evolved into? They both had equal chances of becoming more highly evolved.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• paleoworld
• paleo world
• troodon
• discovery channel
• fossils
• dinosaur intelligence
• dale russel
• tlc
• paleontology

[DonMafianChild]

So this where all the crazy believers in Reptilians come from. Well, I think that this creature is extinct but it begs the question on whether this is what extraterrestrials may resemble and I do not know if anyone here has seen The Future is Wild, but there Squids become sentient beings, interesting right. I do not think Troodon wold look that human, but it could have become sentient. Does anyone think that the Amazon cold be haven for so called extinct life like this or is that foolish?

[Paleoworld101]

@DonMafianChild @DonMafianChild I have seen the "Future Is Wild" series. I don't think a lot of their evolution predictions are correct (Squid swinging in trees and fish flying permanently, theres a reason why they evolved in the water, their body shapes suit that lifestyle. You cant just stick a marine animal on land and have it keep the same body shape. All they did to the fish was stick on some wings...). But still, it was a good series, for entertainment value not scientific value.

[DreamersVision]

Ok, why do we always assume our form is what all intelligent life would take? Sure nose shrinkage would probably happen if the troodon continued evolving, and of course the head would be bigger, but what reason would it have to stand completely upright and lose it's tail?

[pytko3]

@DreamersVision What reason would it need to keep it's tail? It would probably become a vestigial stump.

[Alkipwnd]

I think that the Troodon would not become upright and look like anything they depicted. I personaly think that if the design of the raptors was efficient and effective that their basic shape would remain the same but just slightly modifying proportions to suit the increase in brain size.

[SpiritusPhantom]

@edwardschlosser1 well, they did have 65 million years to change from that to a humanoid form, while we had around the same time to change from shrews to humans, so I guess it could happen, I mean why not?

[QuickRefs]

@DreamersVision Well, think about it: advanced hands to explore the world and carry objects will cause it to stand upright. A tail in this situation would drag it back, so as it gradually stands up, the tail vanishes. I believe that out form factor: two legs, two hands, and big head is the ultimate shape of intelligent spicies.

[RaffaLambeflores]

@edwardschlosser1 And saying otherwise is just as unlikely, I mean, just as that guys said , look at us, we are a very successful evolutionary advance, is there absolutely no reason for other intelligent live to look like us, or even a more advanced form of our own? Evolution is unpredictable.

[RaffaLambeflores]

@DreamersVision better movement? there has to be a reason.

[bmpearson1]

VOLDEMORT

[VicariousReality7]

@Paleoworld101

Squids swinging around in trees? Now that's an amusing mental image.

[DreamersVision]

@edwardschlosser1 Lol, posted my thing before I realized somebody else pointed this out.