The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs

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***The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs*** is a two-part BBC documentary, presented by Bill Oddie, in which a group of scientists test out the strength of dinosaur weaponry using biomechanics. The first episode determines the winner of a battle between *Tyrannosaurus* and *Triceratops*, and second compares the strength of an ankylosaur and *Velociraptor*. The programmes were broadcast on BBC 1 in August and September 2005. In the US, *The Truth About Killer Dinosaurs* was known as *Dinosaur Face-Off*.

## Episodes and Animals

These are the episodes and the evidence revealed in them.

### 1  *T. rex* vs. *Triceratops*

#### *Tyrannosaurus*

* Evidence of head injuries on *Triceratops* indicates *Tyrannosaurus rex* attacked living *Triceratops*.
* Using a steel *Tyrannosaurus* skull, scientists learned that *Tyrannosaurus* could easily crush a small car.
* Scientists learn that *Tyrannosaurus* could run at a maximum of 25 mph.
* Scanning an endocast from *Tyrannosaurus'*s skull, scientists theorise that *Tyrannosaurus* had a brain similar to that of a modern-day alligator.
* *Tyrannosaurus* had good vision, and a good sense of smell.
* *Tyrannosaurus* could bite through bone, at a bite force of at least four tons per square inch.

#### *Triceratops*

* Doing a crash test with an artificial *Triceratops* skull, made of resin, scientists learn that *Triceratops* probably didn't charge at predators, for its skull would likely break.
* *Triceratops* may have gored its predators.
* *Triceratops* was slower (15 mph) than *Tyrannosaurus*, but more agile.

#### Outcome

An even match. In the episode, it is shown that if the *Tyrannosaurus* makes a surprise attack, it might kill the *Triceratops*, but if the herbivore discovers the trap, it could beat his opponent and kill it.

Outcome 1: (Winner, *Tyrannosaurus*)
The *T. rex* is seen stalking the *Triceratops*. It suddenly runs out of hiding, and being faster it overtakes the *Triceratops*. The *T. rex* bites into the *Triceratops'* neck, knocks it over, and eats it.

Outcome 2: (Winner, *Triceratops*)
The *T. rex* is wandering through the forest looking for food. It soon comes across two fighting *Triceratops*. When the two are done fighting, the *T. rex* singles out one of them as a potential target. After picking its victim, the *T. rex* charges, but the *Triceratops* sees it just in time and turns around to face its attacker. The *T. rex* seizes the horn of the *Triceratops* and breaks it off. The herbivore tries to retreat, but the *T. rex* chomps on the *Triceratops'* frill. After doing a mock charge, the *Triceratops* charges at *T. rex* and slashes its horns into the latter's belly. *T. rex* limps away, falls down, and slowly dies. The *Triceratops* watches it die and then goes back to foraging.

### 2 *Velociraptor* vs. *Ankylosaur*

#### *Velociraptor*

* *Velociraptor* was only the size of a turkey.
* *Velociraptor* had feathers.
* A robotic *Velociraptor* leg provides evidence that *Velociraptor* didn't disembowel its prey.
* The fossil of a *Velociraptor* fighting a *Protoceratops* shows that the *Velociraptor* pierced the neck of its prey, possibly to stab the vital arteries or the jugular vein.
* *Velociraptor'*s wings were used for balance and agility, like an ostrich.
* Along with its claws, *Velociraptor'*s teeth were useful weapons.
* *Velociraptor* most likely hunted in small packs.
* Teeth of this dinosaur were found among its victims.
* The biomechanical claw provides evidence that the *Velociraptor* couldn't penetrate the ankylosaur's armour, when tested on a crocodile skin, it would even break.

#### *Ankylosaur*

* Ankylosaur armour was similar to a crocodile's, though significantly harder.
* Young crocodiles have no armour, especially on the neck. Baby ankylosaurs were probably similar.
* A robotic ankylosaur tail shows that the tail club could break wood and bone with ease.
* This dinosaur's armour and club was used only on more threatening predators than *Velociraptor*.
* In the U.S version, it was known as *Ankylosaurus*, although *Ankylosaurus* itself lived in North America. The ankylosaur in question, as implied by the fossil specimen of multiple juveniles, may in fact have been *Pinacosaurus*.

#### Outcome

The *Ankylosaur* would win, although *Velociraptor* could easily kill young *Ankylosaurs* (the Armor is not ready yet and can be easily penetrated).

Outcome 1: (Winner, *Ankylosaur*)
The *Ankylosaur* is being harassed by two *Velociraptors*. They try to attack it multiple times but the armor proves too thick. The *Ankylosaur* eventually drives them away by swinging its tail (one blow would have killed the *Velociraptors*).

Outcome 2: (Winner, *Velociraptor*)
The mother *Ankylosaur* is grazing and her young browse very close to her to avoid danger. But one of them wanders off to an unsafe distance. A couple of *Velociraptors* observe the feeding dinosaur. They lay a trap around the baby. Suddenly one of them bursts out of cover to stampede the baby. The baby escapes the raptor only to be driven into the clutches of the other. The two *Velociraptors* attack the baby, slashing with their claws. The baby tries desperately to defend itself with its tail but is inexperienced and is quickly overwhelmed. One of the *Velociraptors* drives a claw into the baby's neck, killing it. The raptors have the baby as a meal.

#### Minor appearances

##### *Tarbosaurus*

* *Tarbosaurus* appears in the second episode briefly. It fights the ankylosaur, and loses (the tail-whip broke its leg).
* It was related to *Tyrannosaurus*.
* It was the top predator in the Mongolian plains.

##### *Protoceratops*

* *Protoceratops* appears briefly in two fights against *Velociraptor*. The first is a re-enactment of the fighting dinosaurs scene, while the second pits it against two *Velociraptors,* which the latter wins.
* Its beak and bony head were powerful weapons, but because of its small size, *Protoceratops* was most likely preyed upon by many Mongolian predators.

## References

1. ↑ Manning, P. L., Payne, D., Pennicott, J., Barrett, P. M., & Ennos, R. A. (2006). Dinosaur killer claws or climbing crampons?. *Biology Letters*, 2(1), 110-112.