Among the theropods, the meat-eating dinosaurs, were not only giant predators such as Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex but also a wide range of smaller hunters. From the study of their bones and those of other dinosaurs close by, and by applying our knowledge of how modern animals hunt, we can re-create the hunting strategy of these prehistoric predators.

Lone hunters

From the evidence of fossilized trackways, we know that the big predators, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, hunted alone. Its method of attack was probably similar to that of a modern tiger. Having spotted an old, young or disabled individual in a herd, it would stalk it carefully. Then, seeing its quarry straying from the herd, it broke cover and rushed at it, plunging its teeth into its thick hide.

Nocturnal predator

From studying the skull of Troodon, we can tell it had a large braincase and big, forward-facing eyes. This small, speedy predator may have hunted at night, making good use of its sharp, stereo vision to seek out prey under cover of darkness. The name Troodon means "wounding tooth", a reference to its sharp, serrated teeth. These are quite similar to those of iguanas, modern herbivorous reptiles, which suggests that Troodon may have supplemented its diet with plants.