纪录片《恐龙的战争》 顽强防御（5）

Triceratops' most effective defensive¹ tool is one totally hidden from view.

三角龙最有效的防御装备其实隐藏在体内。

A ball-and-socket joint² which connects its 450-kilograms head to its neck.

它是一个将四百五十公斤重的头部与颈部相连的球形关节。

This joint gives Triceratops the ability to maneuver³ its head almost 360 degrees.

这个关节可以让三角龙的头部做到近三百六十度的旋转。

This bone is the closest nature has ever produced to a perfect sphere.

这块球形骨骼是在自然界中所形成的最完美的球体。

It allows movement in almost any direction.

这能让它的头朝任何方向转动。

In a fraction of a second, a Triceratops can place its head directly between its body and the threat.

转瞬之间三角龙就能转动头部直面它的挑战者。

It's like a gigantic white rhinoceros⁵ on steroids. Its head always faces you.

它就像是一头注射了兴奋剂的白犀牛。它总是把正面对着你。

This unique adaptation, with its flexibility⁶ and maneuverability,

这种独一无二的灵活机动的适应能力

is not found on any other dinosaur⁷ or on any mammal today.

在其他恐龙和哺乳动物身上都未曾发现。

You could imagine it being able to turn its head very rapidly, very quickly one direction or another.

你可以想象一下，它能把头部迅速地从一个方向转向另一个方向。

Rhino⁴ can't do that-- almost the fencing with your horns that Triceratops could do.

犀牛就无法像三角龙那样，把自己的角当击剑来使。

Any fight is like it to end with a fatal blow. On average, Triceratops killed T. Rex.

任何战斗都会以致命一击而告终。一般来说，三角龙会杀死雷克斯霸王龙。

Major mortality factor in T. Rex populations was this tank, this herbivorous tank.

雷克斯霸王龙种群的主要死亡因素就是来自于这种食草巨兽的反击。

Imposing⁸ bulk, strong, solid armor, and dangerous weapons all deliver the power to stand up to huge predators⁹.

庞大的体积，坚固的甲壳危险的武器都赋予了它能与巨型食肉动物对抗到底的能力。

But in the world of Cretaceous, other defenders¹⁰ come equipped with tools

但在白垩纪的世界里，其他防御者的防护装备

not only to survive an attack but to defeat an opponent Ankylosaurus, is a herbivores design to kill.

不仅能够保命，而且还能击败对手，甲龙就是其中之一，它天生就是食草动物中的杀手。

1 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

2 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

3 maneuver   

n.策略[pl.]演习；v.(巧妙)控制；用策略

参考例句：

• All the fighters landed safely on the airport after the military maneuver.在军事演习后，所有战斗机都安全降落在机场上。
• I did get her attention with this maneuver.我用这个策略确实引起了她的注意。

4 rhino   

n.犀牛，钱, 现金

参考例句：

• The rhino charged headlong towards us.犀牛急速地向我们冲来。
• They have driven the rhino to the edge of extinction.他们已经令犀牛濒临灭绝。

5 rhinoceros   

n.犀牛

参考例句：

• The rhinoceros has one horn on its nose.犀牛鼻子上有一个角。
• The body of the rhinoceros likes a cattle and the head likes a triangle.犀牛的形体像牛，头呈三角形。

6 flexibility   

n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性

参考例句：

• Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。
• The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。

7 dinosaur   

n.恐龙

参考例句：

• Are you trying to tell me that David was attacked by a dinosaur?你是想要告诉我大卫被一支恐龙所攻击？
• He stared at the faithful miniature of the dinosaur.他凝视著精确的恐龙缩小模型。

8 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

9 predators   

n.食肉动物( predator的名词复数 )；奴役他人者（尤指在财务或性关系方面）

参考例句：

• birds and their earthbound predators 鸟和地面上捕食它们的动物
• The eyes of predators are highly sensitive to the slightest movement. 捕食性动物的眼睛能感觉到最细小的动静。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 defenders   

n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者

参考例句：

• The defenders were outnumbered and had to give in. 抵抗者寡不敌众，只能投降。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After hard fighting,the defenders were still masters of the city. 守军经过奋战仍然控制着城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》