How did Xiongguanlong's daily caloric needs compare to a 10-meter-long predator?
Answer
Needed substantially less caloric intake per day
As a predator measuring around 4.3 meters, Xiongguanlong required substantially less caloric intake per day compared to the massive, 10-meter-long predators found later in the lineage. This difference in metabolic demand meant Xiongguanlong could survive periods of leaner hunting, provided the smaller prey base remained stable. Conversely, the later, massive carnivores likely had high metabolic demands that necessitated large, regularly available meals to sustain their immense bulk.
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