Ask Vizier anything about Prehistoric Life thread

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by southernsun

Do you believe an ancient race of giants used to roam the earth?

As in human giants? The closest thing to giants were these:


They lived in southeast Asia and went extinct around 100,000 years ago. They looked similar to orangutans and were about 3 meters tall (almost 10 feet tall).

[Vizier]

2013 bump

[J.P.W]

Lol mexico

[Vizier]

Mastodon bump.

MASTODON - "Blood and Thunder" - YouTube

MASTODON - "Blood and Thunder" - YouTube
Video: click to display

[Vizier]

Bump.

[DiStOrTiOn]

what kind of dinosaurs lived in mexico

[Meepasaur]

Do you believe in any cryto-zoology?
Is the gigantopithecus still alive and is being called a big foot?
Hahahha..

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by DiStOrTiOn

what kind of dinosaurs lived in mexico

Hadrosaurs, Ceratopsids and Theropods mostly.

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by Meepasaur

Do you believe in any cryto-zoology?
Is the gigantopithecus still alive and is being called a big foot?
Hahahha..

Not really, it's an interesting read but I hardly doubt any of those creatures is still alive as they all require a sizable breeding population.

[TheSexyBeast821]

Is it true that if you tap into the anima mundi and become a timeless being, you can witness dinosaurs walking all over the Earth at present day?

[Meepasaur]

I have another question. If plants evolved before animals, then how did plants continue to speciate without evolving to animals, fungi etc.? I know a lot of it has to do with gas exchange *I think* Maybe that is too prehistorical..
I have a difficult time understanding speciation.

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

Is it true that if you tap into the anima mundi and become a timeless being, you can witness dinosaurs walking all over the Earth at present day?

I know stuff about dinosaurs, not hippie new age bullshit.

Originally Posted by Meepasaur

I have another question. If plants evolved before animals, then how did plants continue to speciate without evolving to animals, fungi etc.? I know a lot of it has to do with gas exchange *I think* Maybe that is too prehistorical..
I have a difficult time understanding speciation.

Well, first of all the origin of life goes back to sells, firstly simple prokaryote cells like bacteria. Some bacteria evolved photosynthesis, some others became specialised heterotrophs (beings that consume other life forms). Each different mutation evolved through many generations is what causes speciation. Not sure if this answers your question.

[TheSexyBeast821]

Originally Posted by Vizier

I know stuff about dinosaurs, not hippie new age bullshit.


Well, first of all the origin of life goes back to sells, firstly simple prokaryote cells like bacteria. Some bacteria evolved photosynthesis, some others became specialised heterotrophs (beings that consume other life forms). Each different mutation evolved through many generations is what causes speciation. Not sure if this answers your question.

So how did the photosynthetic bacteria that were undoubtedly oceanic organisms make it onto land to plant themselves in the soil?

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

So how did the photosynthetic bacteria that were undoubtedly oceanic organisms make it onto land to plant themselves in the soil?

These evolved in the form of algae and probably looked like algae scum in the water, close to the shore where they eventually adapted and iradiated into the land one they had changed the composition of the atmosphere.

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

So how did the photosynthetic bacteria that were undoubtedly oceanic organisms make it onto land to plant themselves in the soil?

Time, duh.

When did the first prehistoric penis show up?

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by Gollum

Time, duh.

When did the first prehistoric penis show up?

Hmm, no idea to be honest. Probably the first creatures that evolved a similar organ or appendage to transfer their sex cells to the female, rather than just using external fertilization. Not all animals possess one, like birds for instance.

[TheSexyBeast821]

Originally Posted by Vizier

These evolved in the form of algae and probably looked like algae scum in the water, close to the shore where they eventually adapted and iradiated into the land one they had changed the composition of the atmosphere.

Originally Posted by Gollum

Time, duh.

When did the first prehistoric penis show up?

I'm going to irradiate my mind all over the place if evolution is so simple.

[DiStOrTiOn]

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

I'm going to irradiate my mind all over the place if evolution is so simple.

that was about 1000 evolutionary steps summarized into one brief sentence

[TheSexyBeast821]

Originally Posted by DiStOrTiOn

that was about 1000 evolutionary steps summarized into one brief sentence

If 1000 evolutionary steps can be summarized in one brief sentence, perhaps a few evolutionary steps can be brought about by a mere word or symbol.

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

I'm going to irradiate my mind all over the place if evolution is so simple.

It's not, actually, but since you're of the hippie crew and believe in god this and that I can't put too much detail into it.

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by Vizier

Hmm, no idea to be honest. Probably the first creatures that evolved a similar organ or appendage to transfer their sex cells to the female, rather than just using external fertilization. Not all animals possess one, like birds for instance.

It's weird how birds manage to reproduce with their genital kiss thing. Seems like a really inefficent way to get yo sperm in dem hawt burds.

Why can't reptiles convert food into body heat?

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

If 1000 evolutionary steps can be summarized in one brief sentence, perhaps a few evolutionary steps can be brought about by a mere word or symbol.

Wut?

It would take longer explaining all the individual baby steps required for one big change than it does to just explain the big change. You have to remember just how many generations it takes for such miniscule changes.

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by Gollum

It's weird how birds manage to reproduce with their genital kiss thing. Seems like a really inefficent way to get yo sperm in dem hawt burds.

Why can't reptiles convert food into body heat?

Their metabolism is different. "warm blooded" creatures require constant food intake to maintain their core body temperatures and their major organs functioning properly, whereas "cold blooded" species do not need such a great energetic demand and therefore can survive on much less food and spend less energy, requiring other methods to warm up their bodies, like basking in sunlight.

[TheSexyBeast821]

Originally Posted by Vizier

It's not, actually, but since you're of the hippie crew and believe in god this and that I can't put too much detail into it.

You are equating my belief in God with being of inferior intelligence? Let's pull out our MENSA cards on the count of 3. 1...2...

Originally Posted by Gollum

Wut?

It would take longer explaining all the individual baby steps required for one big change than it does to just explain the big change. You have to remember just how many generations it takes for such miniscule changes.

Don't pretend you know the intimate details of how algae somehow made it onto land with reproductive ability.

[DiStOrTiOn]

Originally Posted by Gollum

Why can't reptiles convert food into body heat?

they do produce body heat, but only enough to bring their body temp up to about 70F degrees

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by Vizier

Their metabolism is different. "warm blooded" creatures require constant food intake to maintain their core body temperatures and their major organs functioning properly, whereas "cold blooded" species do not need such a great energetic demand and therefore can survive on much less food and spend less energy, requiring other methods to warm up their bodies, like basking in sunlight.

Interesting, do other animals absorb energy from the sun?

Also what are the biggest animals to swim/fly/walk the face of the earth?

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

Don't pretend you know the intimate details of how algae somehow made it onto land with reproductive ability.

I don't, I don't think anyone can get it down to that kind of level. But I understand what kind of tiny steps have to take place for anything to occur which you don't seem to understand. I was trying to help you understand but you tried to insult my intelligence instead which wasn't very nice.

Originally Posted by DiStOrTiOn

they do produce body heat, but only enough to bring their body temp up to about 70F degrees

Whaaaa?

I've never heard of this! Why aren't there any reptiles that can do this better living in the cold?

[DiStOrTiOn]

Originally Posted by Gollum

Whaaaa?

I've never heard of this! Why aren't there any reptiles that can do this better living in the cold?

all cell respiration produces heat

the amount of heat produced is proportional to the amount of cell respiration (metabolism) occurring

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by Gollum

Interesting, do other animals absorb energy from the sun?

Also what are the biggest animals to swim/fly/walk the face of the earth?

To swim, it's currently the blue whale, which is alive today.

To fly, I'm sure it was the Quetzalcoatlus, a pterosaur with a wingspan of about 12 meters.

To walk... I'm not really sure which species of sauropod. (Long necked, four legged dinosaurs).

I've never heard of this! Why aren't there any reptiles that can do this better living in the cold?

Their metabolism. The colder you go to, the smaller reptiles seem to get because food requirement is minimal and keeping a constant body temperature year round is very energy consuming.

[PsychoDelic]

I love these threads.

Did winged birds and dinosaurs coexist?

[TheSexyBeast821]

Originally Posted by Gollum

I don't, I don't think anyone can get it down to that kind of level. But I understand what kind of tiny steps have to take place for anything to occur which you don't seem to understand. I was trying to help you understand but you tried to insult my intelligence instead which wasn't very nice.

How did giraffes develop long necks? It seems prehistoric giraffes with short necks wouldn't be able to reach the trees to even eat and survive to the point of having the beneficial mutation of a long neck to eat leaves from the trees.

[TheSexyBeast821]

How do frogs/toads survive the winter? I hear they bury themselves in mud and hibernate, but in many northern regions the frost layer penetrates well past the depth at which they can bury themselves. Are they secretly in cryogenic hibernation?

[DiStOrTiOn]

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

How did giraffes develop long necks? It seems prehistoric giraffes with short necks wouldn't be able to reach the trees to even eat and survive to the point of having the beneficial mutation of a long neck to eat leaves from the trees.

google: prehistoric giraffes

they indeed did have small necks which continued to get longer in descending species

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by PsychoDelic

I love these threads.

Did winged birds and dinosaurs coexist?

Yes indeed. Actually, birds are regarded as the only surviving dinosaurs.

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

How did giraffes develop long necks? It seems prehistoric giraffes with short necks wouldn't be able to reach the trees to even eat and survive to the point of having the beneficial mutation of a long neck to eat leaves from the trees.

You pretty much answered your own question.

Originally Posted by TheSexyBeast821

How do frogs/toads survive the winter? I hear they bury themselves in mud and hibernate, but in many northern regions the frost layer penetrates well past the depth at which they can bury themselves. Are they secretly in cryogenic hibernation?

Kind of, they secrete a distinct protein that acts like an antifreeze which prevents the water in their cells to freeze, form crystals and damage them. They are virtually dead, but can thaw out and resume cellular function.

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by DiStOrTiOn

all cell respiration produces heat

the amount of heat produced is proportional to the amount of cell respiration (metabolism) occurring

I am learning all kinds of new shit today

Vizer why did we lose our tails?

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by Vizier

Their metabolism. The colder you go to, the smaller reptiles seem to get because food requirement is minimal and keeping a constant body temperature year round is very energy consuming.

Yes but I'm wondering why there isn't a reptile with the metabolism to do such.

Also why do insects adhere to this "fuck cold" rule? They clearly don't need the sun for energy so what stops them from living in cold climates?

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by Gollum

I am learning all kinds of new shit today

Vizer why did we lose our tails?

We still have remnants of it, known as the sacral bone. Decended from probably arboreal primates who shifted their lifestyle towards the ground and into bipedal beings, there was no need for a tail anymore.

Originally Posted by Gollum

Yes but I'm wondering why there isn't a reptile with the metabolism to do such.

Also why do insects adhere to this "fuck cold" rule? They clearly don't need the sun for energy so what stops them from living in cold climates?

Virtually all reptiles don't survive on cold weather and haven't evolved to do so. They hibernate in order to survive winter.

They do need the sun, not directly, but since their energy requirements are so minuscule they don't need to generate that much internal body heat. Some species however do huddle together during the cold and are mostly active during warmer periods.

The thing about cold blooded creatures is that they can convert food into muscle and other tissue mass much more effectively than warm blooded ones, but they require warm temperatures to do so.

[Gollum]

What do you think the world would be like had humans not killed off the other intelligent great apes?

[DiStOrTiOn]

Originally Posted by Gollum

What do you think the world would be like had humans not killed off the other intelligent great apes?

a better question would be is what would the world be like if run by neanderthals


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Neanderthal_Parallax

[Vizier]

Originally Posted by DiStOrTiOn

a better question would be is what would the world be like if run by neanderthals


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Neanderthal_Parallax

Wow, I need to read this asap.

[Gollum]

I needto read that trilogy