Theropod locomotion

Theropod locomotion is the movement of theropod dinosaurs, chiefly on two hind limbs. Its mechanics varied with body size, limb proportions, and tail balance.

Bipedalism: Locomotion using two legs for support and propulsion. Theropods moved chiefly on their hind limbs, freeing their forelimbs from weight-bearing.
Dinosaur trackway: A sequence of fossilized footprints left by a dinosaur moving across a surface. Track spacing and orientation preserve evidence of stride and travel direction.
Tyrannosaurus: A genus of large tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaurs from Late Cretaceous North America. Its great mass makes acceleration and top-speed estimates especially consequential.
Maximum running speed of dinosaurs: The estimated upper speed attainable by a dinosaur during terrestrial locomotion. Published estimates differ because fossil evidence does not directly record maximum speed.
Dinosaur gait: The sequence and timing of limb movements during dinosaur walking or running. Footfall patterns help distinguish ordinary walking from faster movement.
Theropod footprint: A fossilized track made by a theropod foot. Toe impressions and track shape help identify foot placement and contact.
Velociraptor: A small dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur from Late Cretaceous Asia. Its lightweight build and long hind limbs invite comparison with larger theropods.
Ostrich locomotion: The walking and running movement of the modern flightless ostrich. Ostriches are useful bipedal analogues, but their anatomy differs from theropods.
Theropod hindlimb: The pelvis, leg, and foot structures that supported and propelled a theropod. Its joints and proportions shaped stride length, support, and propulsion.
Functional morphology: The study of how an organism's structures relate to their functions. Theropod limb bones are interpreted by comparing form with mechanical demands.

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