Listening to a Jurassic Love Song
Rarely does the fossil evidence yield enough clues to learn about an ancient animal's sounds and colors. About all we can do is infer, from the bits of data available, specific behaviors of ancient animals.
Scientists have been doing this since time began, obviously. Will Cuppy , a humorous naturalist, often poked fun at the scientific community. My favorite Will Cuppy quote: "During the Cretaceous Period many of the inland seas dried up, leaving the Plesiosaurs stranded without any fish. Just about that time Mother Nature scrapped the whole Age of Reptiles and called for a new deal. And you can see what she got. [Footnote: Here we see the working of another Law of Nature: No water, no fish.]"
This extrapolation of bits to hard facts sometimes leads to controversial theories that set paleontologists to actual blows at conferences-- such as the theory that many dinosaurs were covered with feathers. The unique idea that dinosaurs were decorated wtih feather boas lead to a knock-down, drag-out fight at one of the famed International Conferences of dull old men arguing about whether Platyostrophia, (abrachiopod),should be renamed Stichthiremii . Like everyone else, I asked, Who cares?
I, too, am a bit skeptical, on that one. It is humorous to imagine a ferocious monster like Tyrannosaurusprissing aroundlike a giant turkey, as it ripped its prey to bits. Or a raptor with a feather boa around its neck. Somehow, themental imagesthat I conjure are ridiculous!
However, paleontologists, have found a very well preserved cicada fossil in China, and have recently studied the ratchets on its legs and the configuration of its wings. Based on our knowledge of modern cicadas, we know that they communicate by rubbing their wings along the ratchets on their legs, producing the droning, clicking noise that often soothes us to sleep/drives us bonkersin the summer. Modern cicadas make this noise to attract females-- it is their mating call...
This article was published inthe Smithsonian Magazine, which I love, and I just had to share it with you! Of course, in the magazine, myimmediate question: "What does it sound like?" could not be answered. However, online, they have a little recording of it!
Go to the Smithsonian article and click on the Jurassic Chirp, listed under the Audio Gallery .
I wonder what the other sounds of the Jurassic Forest were?
Thanks for coming by!
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If you want some REALLY good chuckles, Will Cuppy will do it! He was born in 1883, died in 1949, and was a HOOT!
I hope you enjoy this article!
I used to get magazines, including the Smithsonian, but then I figured out they were largely just collecting dust, So I don't get any of them anymore.
So I went there and Got distracted by the picture galleries in the side bar...
Squirrel!
LOL!
I love that magazine! It has so many neat things in it to think about!
I bet they were, too-- I thought that the sound the ancient cicada made was pure, and actually quite lovely!
Thanks, dear Neetu! It's always so good to see you!
DINO-mite article!
Feathers... makes sense (especially when you look at some of the more recent finds). Feather Boas.. not so much. I hate to see the boutique where they accessorized.
Thanks, A. Mac! I think I should have put the word GUN in the title somewhere...
Most people respond when that word is in the title...
Much love to you!
Yes, I agree- feathers do make sense on some of them... but on others? I've seen some pretty ridiculous pictures.
Lizard-like skin but for a feather collar and a headdress, etc. Those are just funny!
Me too, about the boutique! LOL!
sorry dowser,..you know i am hardly ever serious soooooo,...
click, click, click,......(pausing momentarily),......cilck, click, click.,.....any lady takers.....
That was so cool Dowser! But going to thatmagazine was dangerous, LOL. Iwas going from one article to another. It was a lovely diversion. Thanks!
LOL, dear Lone!!! Funny!
I know, believe me, I know... I read them cover to cover, over and over. It is just so Interesting!
Thanks for coming by, dearest Perrie!