July 2011 PMID 21700837

Dinosaur body temperatures determined from isotopic (¹³C-¹⁸O) ordering in fossil biominerals.

Robert A Eagle, Thomas Tütken, Taylor S Martin, Aradhna K Tripati, Henry C Fricke, Melissa Connely, Richard L Cifelli, John M Eiler

Download social card

Mentions

49
Peak: 2 in Feb 2022
across 5 sources since Feb 2022

Extended reach

494,202
potential audience

Total likes

14,006

Video views

487,823

Mentions per month

Feb 2022 – Jan 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News32 articles
  • Blogs9 articles
  • X / Twitter3 posts
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions include references to specific concepts like neck heat loss and comparisons between sauropods and mammals, illustrating varying interpretations of the research findings. The tone fluctuates between curiosity and skepticism, with some users defending the study using scientific data, which reflects a moderate level of interest and engagement without clear consensus on impact.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The discussions reflect conflicting views, with some posts supporting the research and others criticizing it, resulting in a neutral overall stance.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show modest curiosity, particularly in debates about sauropod body temperatures and the validity of different sources.

EngagementModerate engagement

There is a moderate level of engagement, as users cite sources and challenge each other's claims, indicating deeper interest.

ImpactNeutral impact

The conversations seem to influence perceptions but do not appear to dramatically shift opinions or have broad scientific implications yet.

Abstract in brief

  • The study uses clumped isotope thermometry to measure the body temperatures of Jurassic sauropods, finding they ranged from 36 to 38°C, similar to modern mammals.
  • These temperatures are 4 to 7°C lower than predictions from a model suggesting dinosaur body temperature scaled with size, implying sauropods may have had heat regulation mechanisms.
  • The findings contribute to the ongoing debate about whether nonavian dinosaurs were endothermic (warm-blooded) or ectothermic (cold-blooded), leaning toward an endothermic-like physiology for large dinosaurs.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Tess Gallagher
@Tessasaurus_rex · X

For those interested in reading up on the topic, here are some papers you can look into Sauropod body temp: https://t.co/SDqWe9t1aD Sauropod neck heat loss : https://t.co/rPS056hKAL Elephant+ edmontosaurus heat loss: https://t.co/LnygfdlGkV

Oct 17, 2022 · 39 likes · 2,960 followers View post →
Juan Yu See #FreePalestine
@Juanyudocus · X

@RoastedPlacenta @A3Dnazrigar Uhh, estimates of sauropod body temperature actually put them within the range of placental mammals, so your statement of sauropods having much lower body temperatures is objectively wrong based on actual research data: https://t.co/2KMrFJHEzh https://t.co/ECwff6K47O

Feb 27, 2022 · 3 likes · 1,710 followers View post →

All mentions

Tess Gallagher
@Tessasaurus_rex · X

For those interested in reading up on the topic, here are some papers you can look into Sauropod body temp: https://t.co/SDqWe9t1aD Sauropod neck heat loss : https://t.co/rPS056hKAL Elephant+ edmontosaurus heat loss: https://t.co/LnygfdlGkV

Oct 17, 2022 · 39 likes · 2,960 followers View post →
Juan Yu See #FreePalestine
@Juanyudocus · X

@DanielBilodeau1 @RoastedPlacenta @A3Dnazrigar If anything, actually reliable sources have indicated that sauropod body temperature are in fact within the range of that of placental mammals: https://t.co/2KMrFJHEzh https://t.co/ECwff6K47O

Feb 28, 2022 · 1,710 followers View post →
Juan Yu See #FreePalestine
@Juanyudocus · X

@RoastedPlacenta @A3Dnazrigar Uhh, estimates of sauropod body temperature actually put them within the range of placental mammals, so your statement of sauropods having much lower body temperatures is objectively wrong based on actual research data: https://t.co/2KMrFJHEzh https://t.co/ECwff6K47O

Feb 27, 2022 · 3 likes · 1,710 followers View post →