Theory about dinosaur coloration
My favorite part of paleontology are the studies done on melanosomes. Finding out what colors these animals were, can open an entirely new world of speculation. The colors of birds tell us a myriad of things. Birds are easily some of the most sexually diverse animals on the planet. Their plumage alone can tell us so much about how they live. I study ornithology just as much as paleontology, and while dinosaurs were not entirely like modern birds, they are linked to them.
I had this theory that perhaps certain dinosaurs would change color depending on the amount of sunlight they were getting. Now, hold on, I know that sounds weird. But hear me out. Dinosaurs that may have lived in areas of higher moisture may have been prone to their feathers changing color. I think this way because I’ve recently been reading about the indochinese magpie. While certain dinosaurs may not have mimicked the bird identically, I do think that there may have been a possibility that their feathers went through some sort of change.
Usally, the bird will appear green in color. But, when exposed to lots of sunlight, the feathers change in hue.
The bird becomes more of a washed-out pale blue color. There are TWO distinct factors that play in the change. There are structures in the feathers that will produce a blue color when refracting light. These structures are called, schemochromes. Coupled with yellow carotenoids, which come from the bird’s diet, the change of color will occur. So, I think perhaps some species of dinosaurs or ancient birds may have experienced similar symptoms. Perhaps certain species who were over exposed, and not capable of getting the correct food, would turn in color.
The green colors occur when the bird is not so heavily exposed, and when it’s eating a diet full of the right nutrients to keep its green sheen. Melanosomes tell us a lot about dinosaurs, and perhaps one day we will find a specimen with evidence of similar structures. I do think the idea of a dinosaur that changed color depending on exposure to certain elements is a fascinating idea to gnaw on.
Flamingos: *get their pink from the food they eat*
Dinosaurs: "HOW MANY SHRIMP DO YOU HAVE TO EAT-"
