Giant Allosaurus, despite their size and predatory appearance, were scavengers

Allosaurus is a genus of dinosaurs that lived approximately 155-145 million years ago. They moved on powerful rear

paws, while the forelimbs were relatively small. Fossils of allosaurs have been found in North America, southern Europe and East Africa.

Scientists previously believed that Allosaurus were predators, but the authors of the new work proved that this species ate carrion and did not hunt live prey.

The researchers made this conclusion based onmodeling: it helped to identify the precise relationship between the food resources that existed in the Jurassic period and the energy requirements of allosaurs. 

Scientists also analyzed data onfossils of those times, for example, the number of populations of predators, herbivores and scavengers. In addition, they studied the morphological features of the skeleton of these animals, namely the structure of the skull.

As a result, the researchers concluded that the bones of the skull and teeth of allosaurs were fragile, and this is not typical for predators. This species also lacked the binocular vision required for hunting.

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