Scientists recently stumbled upon dinosaur tracks along the southern coast of Australia.

These footprints appeared to date back to the Early Cretaceous when the continent was attached to Antarctica and hinted that the large and carnivorous theropod&nbsp;dinosaurs lived in the polar region.&nbsp;

These carnivorous dinosaurs were found to be living near river floodplains in the summer.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bird-genes-store-memories-of-dinosaur-extiction-here-is-how-749319">Bird genes 'store' memories of dinosaur extinction: Here is how</a>

The analysis of the dinosaur tracks which were discovered in the Wonthaggi Formation, south of Melbourne, was recently published by the experts.&nbsp;

The tracks, which appeared to date back to 120 and 128 million years ago, included 18 such footprints which were of theropods.&nbsp;

The study's lead author and professor at&nbsp;Emory University’s Department of Environmental Sciences Anthony Martin said, “These numerous tracks are the best evidence yet that these former polar environments supported large carnivores. The large theropods would likely have fed on prey such as smaller dinosaurs, fish, and turtles.”

<h2>What are theropod dinosaurs?</h2>

Theropod dinosaurs are a type of bipedal dinosaur which have three clawed toes. They are part of the same evolutionary group which has species like Allosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Velociraptor.

In this discovery, the scientists found the largest theropod track 18.5 inches in length.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/26000-year-old-human-animal-footprints-unearthed-in-spain-it-once-was-a-settlement-of-757071">26,000-year-old human, animal footprints unearthed in Spain. It once was a settlement of...</a>

“The hip height of that theropod would have been about the same as the full height of a tall, modern-day human – or a bit more than six feet tall,” said Martin.

“Our find of so many theropod tracks, however, confirms that a variety of dinosaurs actually lived and walked on the ground where their bones were found,” emphasised Martin. “Dinosaur tracks are actually much more common at the site than we previously realised," he added.&nbsp;

According to the scientists, the newly-found tracks were likely formed when the dinosaurs roamed on mud or wet sand in the floodplain.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists recently stumbled upon dinosaur tracks along the southern coast of Australia. These footprints appeared to date back to the Early Cretaceous when the continent was attached to Antarctica and hinted that the large and carnivorous theropod dinosaurs lived in the polar region.

Scientists recently stumbled upon dinosaur tracks along the southern coast of Australia. These footprints appeared to date back to the Early Cretaceous when the continent was attached to Antarctica and hinted that the large and carnivorous theropod dinosaurs lived in the polar region. These carnivorous dinosaurs were found to be living near river floodplains in the summer. Also Read: Bird genes 'store' memories of dinosaur extinction: Here is how The analysis of the dinosaur tracks which were discovered in the Wonthaggi Formation, south of Melbourne, was recently published by the experts. The tracks, which appeared to date back to 120 and 128 million years ago, included 18 such footprints which were of theropods. The study's lead author and professor at Emory University’s Department of Environmental Sciences Anthony Martin said, “These numerous tracks are the best evidence yet that these former polar environments supported large carnivores. The large theropods would likely have fed on prey such as smaller dinosaurs, fish, and turtles.” What are theropod dinosaurs? Theropod dinosaurs are a type of bipedal dinosaur which have three clawed toes. They are part of the same evolutionary group which has species like Allosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Velociraptor. In this discovery, the scientists found the largest theropod track 18.5 inches in length. Also Read: 26,000-year-old human, animal footprints unearthed in Spain. It once was a settlement of... “The hip height of that theropod would have been about the same as the full height of a tall, modern-day human – or a bit more than six feet tall,” said Martin. “Our find of so many theropod tracks, however, confirms that a variety of dinosaurs actually lived and walked on the ground where their bones were found,” emphasised Martin. “Dinosaur tracks are actually much more common at the site than we previously realised," he added. According to the scientists, the newly-found tracks were likely formed when the dinosaurs roamed on mud or wet sand in the floodplain. (With inputs from agencies)

A huge, carnivorous dinosaurs roamed on Earth's polar regions. Here's how the wild beast thrived

The study of ancient life never fails to intrigue humans as we all are curious to know how our planet looked centuries ago, how organisms changed over time, other details about the flora and fauna of the prehistoric era.

The study of ancient life never fails to intrigue humans as we all are curious to know how our planet looked centuries ago, how organisms changed over time, other details about the flora and fauna of the prehistoric era. Scientists have studied fossil data to reveal new details and researchers across the world continue to dig deeper to find more details about fossilised history. ALSO READ | Battle axe for a tail? Scientists discover unique 'weaponised' dinosaur Recently, a study shed light upon some species of theropod dinosaur, from the early Cretaceous, that could sprint at high speeds, possibly as fast as - Usain Bolt. As per the study published in the journal Scientific Reports on Thursday (December 9), it has been revealed that some species of theropods could reach speeds of 28mph. Such speed would make them the fastest dinosaurs on record. Speed analysis of theropod dinosaurs A group of researchers from the Universidad de La Rioja analysed a fossilised trackway found in Igea, Spain to know how fast theropods could run and what kind of movement they showed. As per the study, the prints were left by two individuals from an unidentified species of theropods from the Igea site - named La Torre 6A-14 and 6B-1. The researchers believe that La Torre 6A-14 prints were in size than the one who created 6B-1 and the dinosaur with larger pair of tracks was running between 14.5mph and 23.1mph. On the other hand, the Torre 6B-1 is believed to have speeds between 19.7mph and 27.7mph. ALSO READ | In a first, fossils of a herd of 11 dinosaurs found in Italy Interesting to note that the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt ran up to 27.3 miles per hour during a 100-meter race in 2011. "Theropod behaviour and biodynamics are intriguing questions that palaeontology has been trying to resolve for a long time," a part of the abstract of the study read. "The lack of extant groups with similar bipedalism has made it hard to answer some of the questions on the matter. Theoretical biomechanical models have shed some light on the question of how fast theropods could run," it further added. The study of dinosaur tracks can help answer some of these questions due to the very nature of tracks as a product of the interaction of these animals with the environment. About theropod dinosaurs Studies have revealed that theropods were two-legged dinosaurs, generally classed as a group of saurischians. They were ancestrally carnivorous, although later studies revealed that a number of theropod groups evolved to become herbivores, omnivores, piscivores and insectivores. Theropods are characterised by hollow bones and three-toed limbs.

Faster than Usain Bolt? Study reveals Theropod dinosaurs could run really fast

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