Researchers have uncovered evidence of a significant dinosaur mating ground in present-day Colorado, believed to be one of the largest discovered to date. Previous studies had identified a few areas where male dinosaurs likely gathered to showcase courtship behaviors for females at Dinosaur Ridge, situated 20 miles west of Denver. By utilizing advanced drone photography and photogrammetry techniques to create detailed 3D models of the sandstone formations at Dinosaur Ridge, a research team reexamined the area to identify additional markings on the surface.
Their investigation revealed a multitude of markings closely grouped together, indicating that the location may have served as a site for dinosaur mating rituals, akin to those observed in certain modern bird species. According to Caldwell Buntin, a co-author of the study and lecturer at Old Dominion University, these trace fossils provide compelling evidence of dinosaur courtship activities, ruling out alternative explanations such as foraging, territorial marking, or nesting behaviors.
The distinctive scrapes found at the site were attributed to theropod dinosaurs, featuring hollow bones and three-toed limbs with claws, prevalent during the Cretaceous period millions of years ago. While the specific dinosaur species responsible for these markings remains uncertain, they are estimated to have stood three to four feet tall at the hip and ranged from 8 to 16 feet in length, resembling the size of emus or ostriches.
The scrapes exhibit a range of patterns, including simple toe claw marks, overlapping longer scrapes, and distinctive bowl-shaped impressions associated with various movements and behaviors. Buntin likened the observed behaviors to those of banded plovers, small shorebirds known for their elaborate courtship displays involving nest construction and intricate dance movements.
The research team’s findings shed light on the fascinating courtship behaviors of dinosaurs and offer valuable insights into their social interactions and reproductive strategies. The site, open to the public, provides an exciting opportunity for further exploration and study by interested individuals and researchers alike.
“Visiting and observing the scrapes in person, in comparison to other scrap sites located on federally protected land, truly makes this site exceptionally unique. Not only does it showcase fascinating behavioral displays, but it is also easily accessible to a wide range of visitors, enabling them to gain a better understanding of the behavior of these incredible animals that are now within our sight,” shared Neffra Matthews, study co-author and former employee of the Bureau of Land Management, with ABC News.
