Over the past decade, a flurry of fossil finds has radically altered our perception of dinosaurs. Palaeontologist Dave Hone has been at the forefront of uncovering the secrets of these ancient creatures, from their social structures to their combat behaviors. In this Q&A, we explore the latest revelations that show dinosaurs lived far more intricate lives than previously imagined. Jump to social behavior, communication, group living, combat, parenting, intelligence, or growth.
What recent discoveries have changed our view of dinosaur social behavior?
Recent fossil finds have revealed that many dinosaurs were far more social than once believed. For example, trackways showing multiple individuals moving together suggest herding behavior in species like Hadrosaurs and Sauropods. More remarkably, nesting sites in Mongolia and Argentina contain evidence of communal nesting, where dozens of adults cared for their young in colonies. Dave Hone highlights that fossilized bonebeds with different ages of dinosaurs indicate multi-generational groups, challenging the older view of dinosaurs as solitary, antisocial reptiles. These discoveries suggest complex social structures, possibly with hierarchies and cooperative activities similar to modern birds or mammals.
How did dinosaurs communicate and interact with each other?
Dinosaurs used a range of signals to communicate. Crested dinosaurs like Parasaurolophus had hollow head crests that likely produced low-frequency sounds for long-distance calls. Other species may have used visual displays, such as the elaborate frills of ceratopsians or the striking tail feathers of some theropods. Studies of fossilized voice boxes (larynxes) in non-avian dinosaurs show that some had vocal cords similar to those of modern crocodiles, suggesting powerful roars. Additionally, trackways with paired footprints hint at ritualized displays for courtship. Dave Hone notes that such communication likely allowed for complex social interactions, including warning calls, mating rituals, and coordination during hunts or migrations.
Were dinosaurs truly solitary creatures or did they live in groups?
While some dinosaurs were undoubtedly solitary hunters, many species lived in groups. Evidence includes massive bonebeds with thousands of individuals from the same species, such as Centrosaurus. Trackways showing parallel footprints of different sizes indicate that adults and young moved together, reinforcing the idea of nuclear families or herds. However, the degree of sociality varied: large predators like Tyrannosaurus rex may have been solitary or loosely social, but discoveries of multiple T. rex in one quarry suggest occasional group behavior. Dave Hone emphasizes that the old stereotype of dinosaurs as solitary monsters is being replaced by a more nuanced view, where sociality was as diverse as among modern animals.
What evidence do we have for dinosaur combat and fighting?
Direct evidence of combat comes from fossilized injuries and bite marks. Many Triceratops skulls show healed puncture wounds consistent with horn-to-horn combat, likely for dominance or territory. Similarly, Allosaurus fossils display tooth marks from other carnivores, indicating fights over carcasses or resources. Perhaps the most dramatic evidence is a fossil of Psittacosaurus with tail injuries from a predator's attack—and the predator's tooth still embedded. Dave Hone points out that combat wasn't limited to simple violence; some dinosaurs exhibited ritualized fighting, as seen in the thickened skulls of pachycephalosaurs that may have engaged in head-butting contests for status.
How complex were dinosaur parenting and nesting behaviors?
Fossilized nests and embryos reveal that dinosaur parenting was far more elaborate than previously thought. For instance, Maiasaura (meaning "good mother lizard") remains were found with hatchlings in nests, surrounded by crushed eggshells indicating prolonged care. Some dinosaurs, like Oviraptor, sat on their nests in a bird-like posture, as seen in a famous fossil where the parent died while brooding. Growth lines in bones show that many young dinosaurs stayed with their parents for months or even years, receiving food and protection. Dave Hone notes that this level of parental investment suggests strong family bonds and that some dinosaurs may have taught survival skills to their offspring, much like modern birds.
What surprising new facts have we learned about dinosaur intelligence?
Brain endocasts (reconstructed from skull cavities) show that some dinosaurs had larger brains relative to body size than previously assumed. Theropods like Troodon had brains comparable to modern birds of similar size, indicating keen senses and problem-solving abilities. Furthermore, complex behaviors such as group hunting, tool use (in some theropods), and even play (suggested by trackways of juveniles) imply higher cognitive functions. Dave Hone explains that intelligence likely varied greatly—some herbivores had small brains, but predatory dinosaurs needed more processing power for hunting and social coordination. This complexity contradicts the old image of dinosaurs as dumb, slow creatures.
How does the latest research on dinosaur growth and metabolism reshape our understanding?
Studies of bone microstructures show that many dinosaurs grew rapidly in spurts, similar to birds and mammals, rather than slowly like reptiles. Evidence of fibrolamellar bone indicates high metabolic rates and possibly endothermy. Some dinosaurs reached full size in just a few years, while others grew over decades. This rapid growth would have required abundant food and efficient digestion, suggesting complex ecological strategies. Additionally, growth patterns in fossils of Maiasaura show that juveniles grew faster than adults, a trait linked to parental care. Dave Hone highlights that this metabolic versatility allowed dinosaurs to dominate for millions of years, adapting to diverse climates and environments in ways previously unappreciated.