H. Pettijohn's avatar

H. Pettijohn

@punkpaleo.bsky.social

Happy #FossilFriday! Did you know that many theropod dinosaurs have thick pads on the bottom of their feet? Much like the paw pads of dogs and cats, these probably helped cushion their footfalls and assisted in gripping the ground when running. (1/2)
#paleontology #ichnology #dinosaur

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H. Pettijohn's avatar H. Pettijohn @punkpaleo.bsky.social
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Most living theropods, birds, still have pads on their feet that vary in size and shape. Pictured below are four-toed (anisodactyl) bird tracks with small pads, found in southern Utah. The track in the previous post is housed at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site in St. George, Utah. (2/2)

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