Scientists Examine Dinosaur Skin

jd writes "Fossilized skin from a dinosaur in China is allowing paleontologists a better understanding of what dinosaur skin was like. A tear, caused by a predator, shows that below the scales of the Psittacosaurus was a thick hide comprised of 25 layers of collagen. Other than the multitude of layers, this is very similar in nature to modern shark skin. The gash caused by a predator allowed the skin and the soft interior to be fossilized along with the bones. This is not the same dinosaur that had been reported previously on Slashdot, which was found in South Dakota, although the process and extent of fossilization is very similar."

Duplisaurus Paranoidus

[Tablizer]

This is not the same dinosaur that had been reported previously on Slashdot

Somebody's a bit sensitive about dupes ;-)
       

Re:Suddenly?

[Tablizer]

How was the flesh preserved, and not eaten by microbes? Suddenly covered by sediment seems like odd explanation.

If this was Trek, I would propose interference from tachyon particles as the culprit.
     

Re:Suddenly?

[RuBLed]

How was the flesh preserved, and not eaten by microbes? Suddenly covered by sediment seems like odd explanation.

The dinosaur was probably buried by his kin after his death. I'm sure the culprit was arrested afterwards and brought to justice...

Re:I was about to make that joke

[4D6963]

Great, thanks! Cause every time someone jokes about creationism, God goes back to the Jurassic and kills a dinosaur!

Oh, the fools!

[mad-seumas]

If only they'd built them with 26 layers!

same as shark skin?

[DreamerFi]

You mean we can mount a frikking laser on them?

Re:Interesting

[theMerovingian]

A tear, caused by a predator, shows that below the scales of the Psittacosaurus was a thick hide comprised of 25 layers of collagen.

It's like I always say, 25 layers of collagen just isn't enough if you can't outrun your predators.

Re:I was about to make that joke

[RuBLed]

What do you think God was doing when dinosaurs are joking about creationism?

Right... and we're clever indeed...

Saddle?

[aaronfaby]

Did they find the saddle that Jesus used to ride the dinosaur?

Re:Interesting

[Yetihehe]

More interesting is a question how much earlier than europeans chinese began fossilizing their dinosaurs

Re:Found in China?

[Anonymous Coward]

They'd better hide it because dinosaur skin is a well known remedy for bladder infections.

And to think...

[hyades1]

How wonderful to consider that this animal's descendants walk among us to this very day. Chubby, piggish little creatures. Omnivorous. Voracious. Almost invulnerable due to their incredibly tough skin. Scavenging when they must, picking off a vulnerable or unwary victim when they can.

We call them "lawyers".

Re:Oh, the fools!

[TuringTest]

this is very similar in nature to modern shark skin

If only they'd built them with 25 friggin lasers! (on their heads).

Yummy

[El Yanqui]

Mmm.. spicy Psittacosaurus rinds.

Re:Interesting

[amRadioHed]

Not surprising if you've ever been to a market in chinatown. They are very much into preserving animals of all kinds in as many ways as possible.

Re:Food Nerd Alert

[iainl]

Apato-burgers, you insensitive clod!

Re:Interesting

[genner]

No it's like saying I'm only days old.
10,585 days to be exact.

Good news everyone!

[graveyhead]

"Great jerky professor!"

"Damnit Fry I was going to eat that!"