posttexasstressdisorder:

1oldbear:

squeedge:

sonoran-partisan:

sharper-and-bigger:

epic-games-official:

beckiboos:

What the fuck those things are real I thought it was just a cartoon

I thought the same thing when I moved to Arizona

Little velociraptor

Lads

ok but roadrunners are so cool, I can seldom think of a bird more velociraptor-like

more people need to know they’re real because look at this, this is some real walking with dinosaurs shit

they have powerful legs allowing them to run up to 20mph and leap to impressive heights with ease

they are extremely swift and fearless, quick enough to take down a sizable rattlesnake and other large prey animals like lizards and mice

they have several unique adaptations to thermoregulate, such as the dark patch of feathers on their back which acts as a solar panel to absorb heat, or its crest that either releases or absorbs heat by exposing its skin

they have these long, stiff tailfeathers that they use as a counterbalance when running, very reminiscent of the rod-like tail of a dromaeosaur

and they are capable of bursts of flight/gliding with incredibly beautiful plumage

I’m genuinely shocked how many people think they’re made up, they are real and they are AWESOME

And they can’t outrun coyotes but there’s so little meat on their skinny bods that the songdogs just can’t be bothered–most of the time.

Had some that nested in the pasture next to us.  They used to hop up onto the electrical lines between the poles and run along them!  Wish I’d gotten a shot of them doing it…it was nuts to see.