If you could travel back in time to the Cretaceous period, between 145 million and 66 million years ago, you would have witnessed a wonderful sight just 20 miles from what we now call Denver, Colorado. Scientists have discovered signs of a dinosaur ‘dance arena’. This is where the giant reptiles went to find what humans are looking for on dance floors all over the world – love.
How Was the Discovery Made?
Scientists used high-resolution aerial imagery captured by drones to survey land at Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Dakota Sandstone at Dinosaur Ridge, Colorado, USA. They also used photogrammetry to make 3D models of the sandstone.
They found ‘scrapes’ made by non-avian theropods (dinosaurs) on two stratigraphic surfaces (sediment laid down in a specific time period). These creatures had hollow bones and three toes and claws on each limb. Most of these scrapes were bilobate (having two lobes), while others were semi-circular or bowl-shaped. There were toe claw marks in most of the scrapes. It is suggested that the dinosaurs jabbed their claws deep into the sand, dragged their hands or feet, and kicked backwards. There were also scrapes that indicated a counterclockwise or a clockwise turn. Scientists ruled out the possibility that the dinosaurs were doing this to dig for food or water, or to mark their territories. So what were they doing it for?
Giant Dance Arena
Leks are where dinosaurs gathered to find a mate.
©Catmando/Shutterstock.com
This area served as a gathering place where dinosaurs came together to find a mate. Several bird species alive today exhibit the same behavior. The males return to the same site every year to put on a display for the females. The behavior is very similar to that seen in banded plovers, which are small shorebirds.
The males dig out a fake nest to demonstrate how strong they are. When a potential mate comes along, the male performs a ‘dance’. This involves bowing and bobbing and scraping the ground around the nest. He is essentially demonstrating his health and competence so that she will choose him as the father of her offspring. The area where they do this is termed a lek.
The findings are significant as they show that this type of dinosaur was capable of complex behaviors. What is so incredible is that Dinosaur Ridge, where these discoveries were made, remains open to the public for outdoor visits. You can visit and imagine the speed-dating spectacle—dinosaur style.
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