Hello and All...

[Katrina Rix]

Righto. My name is Katrina Rix. I'm a paleontology major, which explains my fascination with prehistoric critters of all stripes. The Dinotopia books helped ensure I never got past the dinosaur stage, and, in fact, kept drawing dinosaurs like crazy. Now, this Alaskan is in Montana, and pulling off a decent impression of a paleo freshman.

No, I don't have a favorite dinosaur. Yes, I've met Jack Horner a few times. Yes, I've been on some digs and found a dinosaur or two. Yes, my room is filled with fossils - invertebrates, so I'm not an evil vert collector.

What else? Well, I'm a huge dinobird proponent. Expect my maniraptors to come with feathers, should I post art, write stories, or whatever. I'm very excited about the new Dinotopia book, because of the feathered dinosaurs I anticipate. I'll try to answer any dinosaur questions that come up - just post them here. Same goes for any prehistoric critter. If I don't know, I'll just say so. I'm always up for discussing theories, and learning about what's out there and researching for answers will help me for classes.

Now I'm all out of things to say... I guess. I'm delighted to be here.

Oh yeah - Yeehaw!

[Kiva]

Welcome, welcome, welcome! I'm Kiva Stoutheart, current Rainy Basin Ambassador(unless someone else wants the job, then they can go talk to the Theropod Council about that ), and all around memorable character.

As far as RL introductions go: I'm in college(For evryone else: Y'all think you're getting my real age, but I ain't saying, so y'all just guess... ) studying to be a voice trainer. I never fully grew out of the dinosaur thing either, although you've probably got far more scientific stuff down pat.

I, too, like to write stories, but I'm more interested in writing RP's so other people can develop the story along with me.

I'm a Creationist, I believe God created everything(PLEASE! Don't anyone turn this into a debate, I'm just stating my beliefs!) and nothing simply 'evolved'.

As far as Dinotopian introductions are concerned: My name is Kiva, and I live with a clan of Giganontosaurs in the Rainy Basin. I grew up with them, and learned their language before any other. I'm friends with a bipolar Megaraptor(who has yet to make an appearance, but might eventually) and have adopted a mentally disabled Yaverlandia. She's 3 years old, but has the brain function of a young hatchling. Some company, huh?

Anywho, it gets a little crazy around here sometimes, but don't let anything scare you. We're mostly harmless.

[Barry]

I also welcome you to are humble home on the web too.
I'm Dwaggie "Barry" Mazaanakolas The Outer Island's
Resident Western Dragon. I too never grew out of liking
dinosaurs/dragons and I'm 39 winters old coming in a few weeks. I like to draw dinosaur/dragon pictures, and
do some RPs. Though I can only do one or two RPs at a time
because of my disability in have, I don't want to go in to that discomforting discussion. I'm also a Creationist, and I too
believe God created everything. For the most part of
it, I just stay out of the argument and keep my mouth shut.

I'm glad that you have landed on our friendly shores.

Run Fast, Seek Peace, Fly High like a Dragon…

— Dwaggie "Barry" Mazaanakolas

[aric]

Hey there, Katrina. Welcome to the boards. It's always nice to see new people joining up.

We used to have folks who were knowledgeable in paleontology here, but it seems they drifted off to better things....

Anyway, good to have a learned paleontologist here.

As for me, I am decidely NOT a creationist.

In fact, I'm almost rabidly anti-creationist... Anyway, if you can stomach some rather mean debate tactics, perhaps you could go over some of my posts regarding the matter. I think they're right, but it might be better to have an actual scientist go over them and point out what I did wrong.

Anyhoo, I read an online article (not the best source, I know) that only iguanadontids had truly opposeable fingers, and that was their pinky. Is this true? I recall someone saying that the T-Rex had a thumb and finger on each hand and I assumed they meant it was opposable.

That's it for now. And again, welcome to the board.

- Aric

[Katrina Rix]

Well, most theropods have a partially opposable digit - not on the standards of a thumb, but enough to allow some manipulation. One obvious exception in Monykus. Another is big Rex. This may run back to basal saurischians. Some of the prosauropods seem to have the same partially opposed digit. While there is some debate on exactly how opposable said digit is, there is general agreement that the digit is partially opposable. I really can't think of a good modern analogue. Mammals mostly have front legs modified for quadrepedal motion. I suppose pandas work - except for the creepy extra finger from wrist bone thing. Either that, or consider the opposable digit as similar to a long version of your big toe, which is partially opposable and works pretty well as an anlogue, except for being on your foot and all.

Fun thing to do to make an Iguanadon hand - make the "hang loose" signal - middle three digits pressed against the palm, thumb and pinky loose. Now raise your middle three fingers together. These are the hooves, which are probably bound together by one fleshy pad, like a camel walking on the tip of its fingers. Hold your thumb straight out - that's the infamous thumb spike. Now, your pinky... This is the digit loose for holding things. Try picking up a pencil or something. That's the arrangement of an Iguanadon hand.

[Enit]

Wicked... I totally just walked around my dorm attacking people with my Iguanadonian hand... I had no idea it was possible to come across as such a lunatic... Thanks Katrina Rix!! My reputation as a mentally unstable amnesiac is now secure for the foreseeable future!!

BD SP
~Enit

P.S. Welcome to the Temple!

[Katrina Rix]

I'm glad I've already managed to be a good influence. Give me time, and it'll get worse. I'll have you imitating Parasaurolophus in no time. www.sandia.gov/media/dinosaur.htm Go on, this is cool stuff.

[Buttercup]

*Adolescent mammoth stepping forward with ears pricked towards newcomers voice...*

Did I hear the place called Alaska? I used to live there but for some unforsaken reason I am stuck here in Florida now...could be because I love my husband...

Anyway, I am a mammmoth with a sibling complex because i have three smilodon siblings that were all adopted about the same time as I was. there sense of warped humor has rubbed off on me. My partner is due to have a child as of today but the baby boy just isn't cooperating so she is a little cranky and sleeping all the time. (It's official, Any day now, Vorchia!)

Welcome and welcome again, please feel free to share all of yopur knowledge as I am and uneducated (High school graduate and nothing else) dino-nut wannabe! I have the enthusiasm down pat, i just need to fill in the knowledge now.

Hope you hang around for quite some time! ;D

[Azonthus]

Greetings newcomer! You are more than welcome in our grassy ocean;) It's been a while since we've had a paleontologist in training grace our shores. I'd love to post more, but I've got too much stuff to get done before Thursday. See you around! Welcome and hang around for a few years or so!

[Croco and Speedwing]

Hi there! My name is Croco Hallaway, Skybax rider extraordinaire <*beak-poke*>...and of course, Speedwing, my trusty partner. It is nice to have another paleontologist here at the Temple, though I haven't seen the first one around lately. (Has anyone seen Turner around, even on AIM?) Though I don't know if I can respect Horner's theory that T. rex was primarily a scavenger...I'm sure that'll be up for debate sooner or later, but welcome and enjoy your stay! Just don't let these crazy characters get to your head and you'll be fine!

[Katrina Rix]

Heh... Don't worry, I'm not convinced myself. I think Horner's just pulling a Bakker and stirring up trouble. Ah, but I'm just a undergraduate, so I mostly just act respectful and behave myself at the Dead Lizard Society meetings (the paleo major club). Once I have more experience and research under my belt, I have every intention of poking the hornet's nest of theories.

Yeah, I was born in Alaska and raised there. For all of my 19 years, I've spent this year in the lower 48, at university, and six months on exchange in Costa Rica.

[Azonthus]

Alaska?! I wanna go there! It's one of the 7 states I have yet to get to. What would be the best time to visit for someone who lothes cold and dark? August?

[Katrina Rix]

August is good. It tends to be a bit nicer - all sunny. But, if you want midnight sun, I'd recommend July.

[Dakota]

Better late than Never! HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!