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Feathered Dinosaurs Were Venomous Predators

Posted by samzenpus on from the bite-worse-than-their-bark dept.

Dananjaya writes "Early dinosaurs weren’t just covered in feathers. They were also poisonous. Analysis of skulls belonging to different species of Sinornithosaurus, a group of feathered predatory theropods that lived 125 million years ago in what is now northeast China, shows skeletal features reminiscent of modern rear-fanged snakes and lizards."

3 of 8 comments (clear)

  1. Parallel evolution? by dryeo · · Score: 1

    I wonder how many times venom, especially venom delivered by fang, has evolved?

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  2. Re:Sequential evolution? by bar-agent · · Score: 1

    Considering only reptiles -- and their forebears and descendents -- deliver venom with fangs, I'd say "once."

    Also spiders. Insects. And fanged, venomous mammals known as Solenodons.

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    i'd hit it so hard, if you pulled me out you'd be the king of britain [bash.org]
  3. Don't panic, Randall, but... by bar-agent · · Score: 1

    Has anyone told xkcd about this?

    --
    i'd hit it so hard, if you pulled me out you'd be the king of britain [bash.org]