from Hacker News

Holes in T. rex's skull now thought to have regulated body temperature

by curtis on 9/5/19, 3:12 AM with 24 comments

  • by rland on 9/5/19, 4:35 AM

    They studied alligators to arrive at their conclusion. It's pretty insane how long that group of animals have been on earth: the same basic design has been in play for 200 million years.

    Compare that to your typical piece of software ;)

  • by kaushikt on 9/5/19, 4:32 AM

    > "An alligator's body heat depends on its environment," said Kent Vliet, coordinator of laboratories at the University of Florida's Department of Biology. "Therefore, we noticed when it was cooler and the alligators are trying to warm up, our thermal imaging showed big hot spots in these holes in the roof of their skull, indicating a rise in temperature. Yet, later in the day when it's warmer, the holes appear dark, like they were turned off to keep cool.

    T.Rex seem to have similar holes filled with blood vessels.

    Fascinating.

  • by algaeontoast on 9/5/19, 7:27 PM

    I love science and history, but there are times when I have to wonder why knowing what holes in a T Rex skull were for really benefits or forwards society?

    I'm posting this because I'd like to be proven wrong.

  • by ChristianGeek on 9/5/19, 2:25 PM

    I wish I had an air conditioner in my head right now.

  • by ncmncm on 9/5/19, 7:06 AM

    "Air conditioner". Reading, it's blood vessels. So, really, a radiator. Nothing to do with cooling air, and everything to do with transferring heat from blood to air, resulting in warmer air and cooler blood.

    Bad, journalism. No biscuit.

  • by majestik on 9/5/19, 4:40 AM

    Gotta keep a cool head, T.