Belgian and Australian paleontologists conducted a scientific experiment, during which they found out that the most bizarre carnivore dinosaur was covered with scaly skin. This conclusion was made for the first time in the history of archeology. Since only herbivores were covered with scales. The new study is published in the journal Cretaceous Studies.
According to paleontologist Dr. Christoph Hendrickx of the Unidad Ejecutora Lilo in San Miguel de Tucuman, the skin of the Carnotaurus turned out to be more varied than in the first examinations. It consists entirely of large conical spines surrounded by a strong network of small scales. Thus, the entire part of his body is covered, from the shoulders to the tail.
In the outback of Australia, a spiny devil lizard was recently found. And, as noted by Dr. Phil Bell, who works in team with Hendrickx, the scales of this lizard are in many ways similar to the structure of the skin of a carnivore dinosaur. It could be assumed that this animal is a feathered predator, then the phenomenon of the skin would be explained. But during the examination of the appearance, not the slightest part of the feather was found. There are suggestions that in this case, scales played a significant role. She regulated body temperature, just like in modern reptiles.
