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Hour Two: Frans de Waal / Egyptian Dinosaur Find A group of researchers report this week in the journal Science the discovery of a partial fossil of Paralititan stromeri, a massive dinosaur that once lived in mangrove swamps in what is now a dry region of Egypt. The researchers estimate that the plant-eating dinosaur may have measured 80 to 100 feet long and weighed 60 to 70 tons. Dinosaur remains were found on the Baharîya Oasis in the early 1900s by German scientists. The fossils recovered from their finds were destroyed in the Allied bombing of Munich in 1944. We'll talk to one of the modern-day researchers about their find, and about what other mysteries might lie in Egyptian fossil beds. Then we'll turn to more modern animals, and a discussion with primatologist Frans de Waal. We'll talk about his research into complex behaviors among the bonobos, capuchins, and other primates -- and about the difficulties in interpreting animal behavior through our own human cultural biases. Do animals have 'culture?' What is culture, anyway? Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255, and share
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Guests: Frans de Waal Related Links:
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Host/Executive Producer/Editor of Science Friday: Ira Flatow Senior Producer of Science Friday: Karin Vergoth Executive web producer: Ira Flatow Web producer: Charles Bergquist
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