How fast was Dilophosaurus going?

Can scientists determine how fast Dilophosaurus was moving by just looking at the fossilized tracks?

The answer is in the birds.

Scientists have noted similarities between bird skeletons and dinosaur skeletons.

Look carefully at the illustrations below that compare the legs and and feet of an Emu with the legs and feet of a Dilophosaurus. Do you see the similarities ?

Home

Creating Dinosaurs from Tracks

The Discovery

Comparing Footprints

Dino Filing Cabinet

How Old are the Tracks

We have a match!

How fast was it?

Scientists and Artists

Dinosaur

Human

Bird

Horse

Skeletal images courtesy of Dinosaur State Park.

Scientists develop a formula for calculating dinosaur speed by experimenting with an emu. The scientists use a ratio to compare the emu's foot length and stride to its speed. Scientists apply the emu's speed to stride ratio to the dinosaur tracks to determine how fast the dinosaur was moving when it made the tracks over 200 million years ago.

First, scientist entice an emu to run across a raked dirt field.

You will need Quicktime to view the Emu experiment. If you do not have Quicktime click here to download it.

Click here to view movie.

Second, Scientists measure the length of the tracks and the space between the tracks.

Third, Scientists measure the time it takes the emu to cross a known distance.

Click here to view movie.

Calculating the speed of an emu.

The emu in the picture on above traveled 42 feet in 1.11 seconds. There are 5,280 feet in a mile. Calculate how fast the emu was running in miles per hour.

Once you have determined your answer use your mouse to roll over the image below.

Click "NEXT" to calculate the speed of a Dilophosaurus.