What specific biomechanical limitation might prevent the largest terror birds from maintaining absolute top speed indefinitely?
Answer
The sheer bulk of some of the largest species
The sheer bulk of some of the largest species would impose physical limitations on how quickly they could accelerate or maintain their absolute top speed.
Related Questions
What is the extinct family to which terror birds belong?What specific anatomical feature suggests terror birds were adapted for delivering lethal blows?What skeletal characteristic points toward a cursorial lifestyle in terror birds?What term is used to describe an animal built for running, as terror birds are suggested to be?What modern bird shares a similar adaptation for sustained running ability with terror birds?What method forms the basis for educated speed guesses regarding extinct animals like terror birds?Compared to a top human sprinter (near 28 mph), what speed range do estimates often place larger terror birds within?What specific biomechanical limitation might prevent the largest terror birds from maintaining absolute top speed indefinitely?What might be a more likely optimized function for terror bird running ability besides prolonged pursuit?If a large terror bird achieved 35 mph, how would that compare to most contemporary prehistoric South American mammals?