These animals weighed tens of tons and were tens of meters long. Given their massive size, how did they manage to mate?
Many scientists found this topic fascinating and conducted numerous studies to answer this question. Researchers discovered evidence of dinosaur mating behavior from 100-million-year-old fossils found in Dakota, located in western Colorado, USA. They uncovered 60 distinct scratch marks in an area measuring 50 meters long and 15 meters wide. These marks provide evidence of intimacy among prehistoric dinosaurs.
The Preferred Mating Position
Have you ever wondered how dinosaurs, some weighing up to 30 tons and taller than a four-story building, mated?
The answer has now been revealed: dinosaurs mated in
a manner similar to dogs.
Speaking on the Discover channel, Dr. Kristi Curry Rogers, an Associate Professor of Biology at Macalester College in Minnesota, USA, stated, “The most probable position for mating is the male standing behind, above the female, and from the rear. Other positions proved unfeasible.”
Challenges and Adaptations
While this was the most ideal method, these massive creatures still faced significant challenges due to their weight. Dinosaurs could risk breaking their spines if they mated too forcefully, especially long-necked dinosaurs (sauropods) which weighed hundreds of tons. Therefore, to relieve the pressure of their weight, sauropods would likely choose to mate underwater.
What about dinosaurs with spikes on their backs? How did they avoid injury? These animals had only one option: lying down, with the male performing the mating from the side.
