The secret of surviving the dinosaur's childhood?

Titanosaur belongs to the largest group of creatures that ever walk on earth, with some specimens weighing more than 100 tons. It is discovered that the scaly bones are speckled on their skin, but to do what is still a mystery.

A recent study on the embryos of this species has shown that bone scales form the " armor " layer, helping to protect giant organisms in the early age of coping with predators.

Paleontologist Thiago Marinho at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro analyzed data on titanosaur eggs found in Patagonia (Argentina) in 1997. They found on the skin of the fetuses in the eggs. This has some convex. Compared to the skin of crocodile embryos, scientists speculate that protrusions may be sharpened to become bone scales.

However, the bone scales encountered on adult titanosaurs are too small and spongy, not enough to form a true protective coat. Therefore, Marinho thinks that the " spear " layer of bones will be much more useful in young dinosaurs, helping them cope with bites of bandits such as the theropod dinosaurs or births. Prehistoric breed like crocodile .

A teenage Titanosaur, with bone scales on his back, is thought to help him defend himself from bites from carnivorous children.(Photo: LiveScience)

"Although titanosaur belongs to the largest group of animals on the mainland, we still think that they hatch from eggs only 30 cm in diameter," Marinho said. These eggs are big compared to today's standards, but not enough to fight carnivorous dinosaurs. And the armor with bone scales could be effective in helping them defend themselves against small theropods.

Marinho envisions that when titanosaur grows, they absorb a lot of calcium to form giant skeletons, including calcium for bone scales, making the bone scales become more porous and hollow.

(Photo: LiveScience)

T. An