MORRISON, Colo. – Newly-published findings detail a remarkable discovery at Dinosaur Ridge, revealing how dinosaurs behaved 100 million years ago on the land that is now Colorado and showing similar traits seen in many modern-day birds.
Neffra Matthews, a retired photogrammetrist for the Bureau of Land Management, was part of a research team in 2014 that first found evidence of dinosaur mating dances at Dinosaur Ridge.
On a rocky hillside right just past the Dinosaur Ridge trailhead, an area that hundreds pass by every day, the team first noticed the peculiar markings.
“The animal would stand on one foot and scrape and then alternate feet,” said Matthews. “It makes that very distinct pattern of scratches and two different areas in one larger bowl-shaped depression.”
The evidence indicates that these carnivorous dinosaurs engaged in courtship displays, a practice still seen among bird species like Grouse, Bustards, and Ruffs. Researchers believe male dinosaurs would scrape their feet and “dance” to intimidate rival males and attract females.
In 2021, a research team led by Professor Rogers Buntin of Old Dominion University, believed that the site was home to more markings indicative of dinosaur courtship behavior. The team used drone photography and Matthews’ photogrammetry skills to create a 3-D model of the hillside, confirming their beliefs. The hillside, which was flat land before the emergence of the Rocky Mountains, contained a dinosaur lek, or mating dance arena. Their findings were published online earlier this month.
“We actually have physical evidence of dinosaur behavior, not just from an individual animal, but from a congregation of animals,” said Matthews. “This shows that concentration of probably male dinosaurs in a very small area doing their displays, both for territory and also to attract a mate. The females would be able to congregate in a central location around them, so that they would be able to prove dominance and have mate selection somewhat simultaneously.”
The researchers believe this to be the largest dinosaur lek ever found, with smaller examples found in western Colorado and Alberta, Canada. The groundbreaking research is found only a 20-minute drive from Denver.
“The public can come and see this amazing area in person and understand that science can continue to unfold here on the ridge over a period of almost 100 years since the first discoveries were made here,” said Matthews. “That's a very valuable opportunity for folks in the Denver area, and people come from around the world to visit the site here.”
Want more dino news? ICYMI, scientists at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science are celebrating a discovery that they have called "nothing short of magical" just under their parking lot in City Park.
