Expert: David Prus - 6/18/2009

Question
Question
Hi David. I'd  sent this question twice to Daniel, but I read that he is on a holiday. In was wondering the following hypothetical issue. Let we say that there was a allosaurus maximus of 18,5 metres and around 10.500 till 11.000 kg (it's reasonable because it's heavier build than Spinosaurus but less heavier build dan T-rex). Let we say that it's bite force was almost heavier as Giganotosaurus, slighty more powerfull and his teeth are far more bigger than a normal allosaurus maximus but his biteforce is still less powerfull as Tyrannosaurus Rex or Tarbosaurus. The rest of his built (hips upperbody and his feet, bigger arms and stronger upperbody than T Rex) are the same as Epanterias/Allosaurus Maximus or Saurophaganax only three times as big. But his speed will be discreased I geussed by his massive size. If this hypothetical allosaurus ever lived, how would he do against:  

1. T-rex
2. Giganotosaurus
3. Mapusaurus
4. Tarbosaurus
5. 5 Utahraptors
6. Deinosuchus
7. Purrusaurus
8. Orca in shallow water
9. Megalodon in shallow water
10. Kronosaurus or Liopleurodon in shallow water
11. Shonisaurus in shallow water
12. 3 white sharks in shallow water
13. 3 Albertosaurus
14. 5 Megalosaurus
15. 15 polar bears
16. 30 smilodons
17. 50 Lions
18. 2 bull african Elephants
19. Indricotheriums
20. Mammuthus Sungari
21. Brachiosaurus
22. Argentinosaurus
23. Bruhatkayosaurus
24. 10 Andrewasarchus
25. 3 Yanchuanosaurus

I hope that you will answer this, You will make my day and I need it for a presentation for my school. Kind regards en greetings from Denmark, |

Hugo

Answer
In the case of the first 7 matchups, I would say that while your super allosaur would certainly overwhelm each of them, it would not go out of its way to confront them. Bears are bigger than tigers and more powerful, but they still keep a respectful distance.

1. T. Rex stands a chance with its robust skull and heavier build. It'd be 50/50

2. Slightly more powerful bite is not as great an advantage, but it's simply too big for Giganotosaurus and other large predators to match.

3. See #2

4. See #1

5. The Utahraptors stand a change if they are as intelligent as today's pack hunters. If not, they're dead meat.

6. Crocodilians are slow and clumsy on land. Deinosuchus may make itself an unappetizing prey item, but would come up short in a fight to the death.

7. See #6

8. Depends on how shallow. Put both in an Olympic pool and the orca can't maneuver. Put both in the middle of a lake and the orca can rip apart the other predator at its leisure

9. See #8, but remember that Megalodon is three times the size of an orca

10. See #9

11. See #9

12. See #8. White Sharks are lone hunters, and they seldom cooperate.

13. See #5

14. See #5

15. Polar bears are lone hunters, and would scatter at such a huge predator.

16. Large, 30-member prides are known for lions, so it's possible they would be a good menace. However, they're up against a biped with huge legs. If we give them a vertical leap of 10 feet (which is generous considering how heavy they are), they might drive one away, but they simply lack the weapons to kill such a large animal. Unlike lions, they can't bite and hang on. They stand a chance, but I wouldn't bet on them

17. Very similar to #16. They can bite and they have even greater numbers, but I can't imagine them climbing over a theropod like they can with an elephant. Their chances are a bit greater, but not enough to make it a sure victory for them

18. The super-allosaur would simply be too big for elephants, which would probably be regular prey for the dinosaur

19. See #18

20. Now we're talking. I suspect that the allosaur would win most fights, but the mammoth is big enough to take care of itself. The allosaur would win a majority of the time due to its superior weapons, but the mammoth would certainly give it trouble.

21. The Brachiosaurus has a major weight advantage, but lacks the weapons to exploit it. It can't really rear up and the tail is short. I'd give this one to the super allosaur

22. I'd give this one to the Argentinasaurus based on sheer size. The tail and legs are just enough to be useful weapons. It'd still be prey, but very dangerous prey.

23. Bruhatkayosaurus is simply too big. The allosaur can inflict damage, but it's simply not large enough to overwhelm the gigantic sauropod. Without the speed impact of the smaller allosaurs, it can't inflict as much damage. It could kill the larger sauropod, but it would not be common. I'm placing my bets on the huger guy here

24. Andrewsarchus was probably not social, and even if it was it didn't have the agility to reach the allosaur.

25. See #13

You know, Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton dreamed up a gigantic raptor for Jurassic Park. Just as the film was in the middle of production, the giant raptor Utahraptor was found. Maybe, just maybe, there's a super allosaur waiting for you, mig bekendt.

Best wishes.