Question

Deinonychus were relatively small predators of the early Cretaceous. Which of the following is true about this species?

a. Their claws were likely adaptations for disabling prey.
b. The claws of Deinonychus and Velociraptor were homoplasious.
c. Their tails were likely vestigial traits.
d. They likely used their tails to knock prey unconscious.

Answer 1

A. seems to be the correct answer, as dromeosaurids pinned down, and ate their prey alive.

Answer 2

The statement that is true about this species is A. Deinonychus have claws that were likely adaptations for disabling their prey. One theory by Fowler states that Deinonychus may capture their prey by "raptor prey restraint" model wherein the dinosaur leap to its prey, pinning it to the ground and gripping it tightly with the use of its claws thus disabling the prey.