Dinosaur vision
In general, dinosaurs were thought to have better vision than most other reptiles, but the accuracy of this general rule can vary wildly between species. Coelurosaurs, for example, had good stereoscopic or binocular vision, whereas large carnosaurs had much weaker eyesight, comparable to that of modern alligators.
Theropoda
Carnosauria
Most Carnosaurs, including Carcharodontosaurus[1] and Allosaurus, did not have a very good sense of vision, and their senses were comparable to modern alligators.[2] They possessed binocular vision which was restricted to a region only 20° wide, which is understandable, seeing as they hunted mostly large and slow prey. Their keenest sense was probably smell.
Deinonychosauria
Deinonychosaurs, like Troodon[2] and Deinonychus, had more powerful vision than carnosaurs. Their binocular field was up to 60°.[2] Some palaeontologists theorize that they could also have night vision.
Tyrannosauridae
Among coelurosauria, tyrannosauroidea have the best eyesight.[2] The position of their eyes suggests that they had a very well developed sense of vision.
We know that Tyrannosaurus rex's position of the eyes were similar to that of modern humans. But their eyes and optic lobe were much larger than that of modern humans. T. rex, unlike most dinosaurs, had a combination of powerful eyesight and great sense of smell.
Ceratosauria
Ceratosaurs, the most primitive theropods, had eyes placed closer to the side. This widened their field of vision, but decreased their depth perception.
Pachycephalosaurs
Pachycephalosaurs, like most of the plant-eaters, had eyes on the sides of its head, so it could quickly spot approaching predators. It also had depth perception.
References
External links
- Interactive Dracorex skull
- Dinosaur senses in Australian Museum
- Dinosaur vision, BBC, 10 December 2010.
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