Thank you for the fun read!
However, I can't help but correct the first sentence:
"Dinosaurs loom large in the human imagination, towering above the treetops, bringing down prey and reigning over the ancient land, sea and sky."
Dinosaurs never reigned over the sky in ancient times. Those were the Pterosaurs. Your mistake shall be forgiven, considering that Dinosaurs do reign over the sky after all - not in ancient times, but today! Birds are Dinosaurs.
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This remark may be a bit off topic, but it recently occurred to me that the basic body shape of a T-Rex and a kangaroo are similar enough to make me wonder if T-Rex locomotion might have had some aspects of kangaroo locomotion. I freely admit I have no detailed physiological knowledge, but base this merely on the disproportionate size of the forelimbs and legs with a large tail that may have acted as a counterweight. The superficial representations of T-Rex mobility have always seemed to me too plodding and ponderous for what must have been a pretty successful species for a significant period of time.
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Well done, Dr. Golas!
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Hmm. Maybe the doc can talk Sue into that collar by telling her it’s all the rage with the triceratops.
I am thinking of this summer's hummingbird colony, Two females visited my feeder and each raise three broods, two babies at a time. At the end of the summer the males were developing their ruby throats and fighting each other for feeder access. Males do not tend the brood, so they just develop and defend territory. The "wars" were terrible and fascinating.
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A fun article. Although I shudder to think what the bill would be for treating any of these injuries in reality.
And as the vet said, not to think of the practicalities!
"Pet doctor" is a dismissive way to refer to a veterinarian and the accompanying veterinary training and skill set. Veterinarians not only provide health services to people's pets, they also help produce the world's food, protect the security of the world food supply, and promote environmental health and conservation to name just a few things. I hope NYT can more use more appropriate and respectful language describe veterinarians in future articles.
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Thanks, Nora. veterinarians are a critical part of community health care. The American Public Health Association even has a special group for veterinarians who focus on public health concerns. Rabies? Eastern Equine Encephalitis? Lyme disease? Veterinarians have data, understanding, and health recommendations.
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