Geoffrey Cox: Dinosaurs - Daspletosaurus

Artist: Geoffrey Cox
1952 -
Nationality: New Zealander
Artwork Year: 1997
Image Size: 13 by 14.25 inches
Overall Size: 13.75 by 16.5 inches
Medium: Water Color on Water Color Paper

How smart were dinosaurs? Paleontologists know the dinosaur brain was generally similar in function to a modern-day crocodile's brain. This knowledge was gained from studying dinosaur cranium fossils, the brain's bony housing. Although some scientists consider dinosaurs to be dim-witted, even blundering animals, their brain apparently served them satisfactorily for over 100 million years . . . a time when they ruled the Earth! Compared to Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus' brain was actually quite large, so it is likely that Tyrannosaurus had the ability to behave with somewhat more intelligence. Even so, because it was a reptile, scientists believe Tyrannosaurus' actions, rather than calculating, were probably automatic reactions to stimuli. The Daspletosaurus is an early North American tyrannosaur that differed from its more famous descendant in that it was smaller -- only about 30 feet long. Like Tyrannosaurus, however, Daspletosaurus was a robust and fearsome meat-eater, and could readily chase down prey on its powerful and swift hind legs. Daspletosaurus had a massive head and vice-like jaws equipped with teeth that sported serrated edges. It's forelimbs were short and thin -- even though they were the longest of all the tyrannosaurs -- yet incredibly strong, each bearing two sharp claws. Daspletosaurus could be terrifyingly aggressive, but because of its relatively small brain its behavior was likely more automatic than calculated.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 32¢ Daspletosaurus stamp issued May 1, 1997.

Artwork Copyright © 1997 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB15694

US$ Price: $950.00

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