All tweet, some bite: Dinosaurs might have tweeted like modern day birds, study finds

The act of tweeting may have taken a different form in prehistoric times as recent evidence indicates that certain dinosaurs had the ability to produce bird-like sounds. This discovery sheds light on the vocal capabilities of ancient creatures, particularly focusing on a larynx fossil from a Pinacosaurus grangeri dinosaur.

These dinosaurs were robust and heavily armoured, measuring up to 16 feet in length and weighing as much as 1,905 kilograms. Interestingly, the study reveals that when these primordial species opened their mouths, they appeared far less intimidating.

Due to their ancient nature, there is limited evidence available regarding the sounds produced by dinosaurs using their throat-based organs. The challenge lies in the fact that the voice boxes, or larynx, of most animals are composed of cartilage, which is a softer material that does not preserve well during the fossilisation process.

Initially, researchers examining the remains of this spiky dinosaur believed that the fossilised bones in its throat had a respiratory function rather than being involved in sound production. However, a closer examination of two specific bones revealed an intriguing revelation: they were part of a larynx.

The team discovered that the surrounding structures may have supported muscles that could have allowed the dinosaur to manipulate these larynx bones to alter the airflow through its throat, enabling it to create a variety of sounds. To gain deeper insights into the potential vocalisations of this dinosaur, the scientists compared the larynx bones to those of modern birds and reptiles.

One specific part of the dinosaur's larynx was unusually large in proportion, suggesting that this ancient creature might have been capable of producing very loud sounds. Another elongated section would have enabled muscles in the windpipe to modify the sounds produced by the larynx, similar to how modern birds alter sound using an organ in their mouths known as the syrinx.

These findings have significant implications. The researchers suggest that if the Pinacosaurus grangeri dinosaur could indeed produce similar types of calls, it likely used them for purposes such as attracting mates, communicating with offspring, and defending its territory. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding the vocal diversity of dinosaurs and their social behaviours, providing a more vivid picture of their ancient world.

In the broader context of palaeontology, this research provides a unique glimpse into the sounds of prehistoric life, revealing that some dinosaurs may have been more similar to tweeting birds than previously imagined.