explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

3216: Bazookasaurus

2026-03-06T15:56:31Z

Lycheefoxpup: reordered categories to be consistent with wiki standards (oops sorry)

{{comic
| number = 3216
| date = March 6, 2026
| title = Bazookasaurus
| image = bazookasaurus_2x.png
| imagesize = 315x274px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = In contrast to the deep booming sound associated with the cannon in pop culture depictions, recent studies show it actually made more of a 'toot toot!' noise.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created ~240 mya, but not for the reasons previously thought. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

As with [[3185: Sauropods]], this comic relates to the reinterpretation of fossil remains on the basis of new evidence, resulting in radical new understandings of the creatures involved.

Various dinosaurs developed impressive-looking {{w|Thagomizer|spikes}}, plates, and the like, and the historical assumption has tended to be that these were used as offensive or defensive measures in conflicts with other dinosaurs. However, in some cases, later evidence has cast doubt on this, suggesting that the structures would have been too fragile or immobile to serve the purpose. Instead, it has been proposed that they may have been developed as a means of display, perhaps through a process of {{w|Fisherian_runaway|runaway selection}}.

This comic shows a Bazookasaurus, a fictitious dinosaur, which apparently developed a structure that bears a remarkable resemblance to a {{w|bazooka}} mounted on its back. Paleontologists supposedly believed that this was an actual functioning bazooka that was used by the animal, despite some rather obvious problems that would be presented to it in terms of acquiring, loading, and firing ammunition. Further study has shown that the structure would not have been robust enough to stand up to the forces involved in firing a bazooka, so could not have served that purpose, leading to a revision of understanding. The "bazooka" in question, however, bears little resemblance to its actual namesake, instead appearing as a wide sci-fi particle cannon adorned with bone motifs.

{{w|Vascularisation}} is the way in which veins form through tissue. Study of this can give clues to the type of tissue that would have surrounded the structures. In some cases it may indicate that they would have been highly susceptible to damage, rupture, leakage or hemorrhage, and therefore unsuitable for use as a weapon or a defence. A Bazooka wouldn't typically have veins in it, so a vascularization study would show that there isn't enough bloodflow.{{citation needed}}

The title text is referencing the fact that the calls of dinosaurs have been reappraised in recent years. Traditionally, and particularly in popular culture, they have been represented as having a deep roar or growl. This is probably through analogy with the majority of large fearsome animals that exist today, which have a tendency to make such noises. However, studies of the vocal apparatus available to them has suggested that they were more likely to make higher, more fluting sounds, with more similarity to today's birds.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[[[Megan]] and [[Cueball]] stand in front of a dinosaur fossil exhibit, with Megan gesturing at the fossil on display.]
:Megan: Although Bazookasaurus's distinctive structure was long assumed to be a weapon, vascularization studies show that it was very fragile and could only have been used for display.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Dinosaurs]]

3216: Bazookasaurus

2026-03-06T15:55:26Z

Lycheefoxpup: extra category

{{comic
| number = 3216
| date = March 6, 2026
| title = Bazookasaurus
| image = bazookasaurus_2x.png
| imagesize = 315x274px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = In contrast to the deep booming sound associated with the cannon in pop culture depictions, recent studies show it actually made more of a 'toot toot!' noise.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created ~240 mya, but not for the reasons previously thought. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

As with [[3185: Sauropods]], this comic relates to the reinterpretation of fossil remains on the basis of new evidence, resulting in radical new understandings of the creatures involved.

Various dinosaurs developed impressive-looking {{w|Thagomizer|spikes}}, plates, and the like, and the historical assumption has tended to be that these were used as offensive or defensive measures in conflicts with other dinosaurs. However, in some cases, later evidence has cast doubt on this, suggesting that the structures would have been too fragile or immobile to serve the purpose. Instead, it has been proposed that they may have been developed as a means of display, perhaps through a process of {{w|Fisherian_runaway|runaway selection}}.

This comic shows a Bazookasaurus, a fictitious dinosaur, which apparently developed a structure that bears a remarkable resemblance to a {{w|bazooka}} mounted on its back. Paleontologists supposedly believed that this was an actual functioning bazooka that was used by the animal, despite some rather obvious problems that would be presented to it in terms of acquiring, loading, and firing ammunition. Further study has shown that the structure would not have been robust enough to stand up to the forces involved in firing a bazooka, so could not have served that purpose, leading to a revision of understanding. The "bazooka" in question, however, bears little resemblance to its actual namesake, instead appearing as a wide sci-fi particle cannon adorned with bone motifs.

{{w|Vascularisation}} is the way in which veins form through tissue. Study of this can give clues to the type of tissue that would have surrounded the structures. In some cases it may indicate that they would have been highly susceptible to damage, rupture, leakage or hemorrhage, and therefore unsuitable for use as a weapon or a defence. A Bazooka wouldn't typically have veins in it, so a vascularization study would show that there isn't enough bloodflow.{{citation needed}}

The title text is referencing the fact that the calls of dinosaurs have been reappraised in recent years. Traditionally, and particularly in popular culture, they have been represented as having a deep roar or growl. This is probably through analogy with the majority of large fearsome animals that exist today, which have a tendency to make such noises. However, studies of the vocal apparatus available to them has suggested that they were more likely to make higher, more fluting sounds, with more similarity to today's birds.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
:[[[Megan]] and [[Cueball]] stand in front of a dinosaur fossil exhibit, with Megan gesturing at the fossil on display.]
:Megan: Although Bazookasaurus's distinctive structure was long assumed to be a weapon, vascularization studies show that it was very fragile and could only have been used for display.

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Dinosaurs]]

3216: Bazookasaurus

2026-03-06T15:35:13Z

Lycheefoxpup: Transcript

3216: Bazookasaurus

2026-03-06T15:14:51Z

Lycheefoxpup: Formatting fix

{{comic
| number = 3216
| date = March 6, 2026
| title = Bazookasaurus
| image = bazookasaurus_2x.png
| imagesize = 315x274px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = In contrast to the deep booming sound associated with the cannon in pop culture depictions, recent studies show it actually made more of a 'toot toot!' noise.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created ~240 mya, but not for the reasons previously thought. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

As with [[3185: Sauropods]], this comic relates to the reinterpretation of fossil remains on the basis of new evidence, resulting in radical new understandings of the creatures involved.

Various dinosaurs developed impressive-looking {{w|Thagomizer|spikes}}, plates, and the like, and the historical assumption has tended to be that these were used as offensive or defensive measures in conflicts with other dinosaurs. However, in some cases, later evidence has cast doubt on this, suggesting that the structures would have been too fragile or immobile to serve the purpose. Instead, it has been proposed that they may have been developed as a means of display, perhaps through a process of {{w|Fisherian_runaway|runaway selection}}.

This comic shows a Bazookasaurus, a fictitious dinosaur, which apparently developed a structure that bears a remarkable resemblance to a {{w|bazooka}} mounted on its back. Paleontologists supposedly believed that this was an actual functioning bazooka that was used by the animal, despite some rather obvious that would be presented to it in terms of acquiring, loading, and firing ammunition. Further study has shown that the structure would not have been robust enough to stand up to the forces involved in firing a bazooka, so could not have served that purpose, leading to a revision of understanding. The "bazooka" in question, however, bears little resemblance to its actual namesake, instead appearing as a wide sci-fi particle cannon adorned with bone motifs.

Vascularization studies (studies of veins) often demonstrate that specific tissues, disease-related vessels, or developmental structures are fragile. This means they are highly susceptible to damage, rupture, leakage or hemorrhage. A Bazooka wouldn't typically have veins in it, so a vascularization study would show that there isn't enough bloodflow.{{citation needed}}

The title text is referencing the fact that the calls of dinosaurs have been reappraised in recent years. Traditionally, and particularly in popular culture, they have been represented as having a deep roar or growl. This is probably through analogy with the majority of large fearsome animals that exist today, which have a tendency to make such noises. However, studies of the vocal apparatus available to them has suggested that they were more likely to make higher, more fluting sounds, with more similarity to today's birds.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

3216: Bazookasaurus

2026-03-06T15:13:12Z

Lycheefoxpup: It doesn't look like a bazooka, also minor changes.

{{comic
| number = 3216
| date = March 6, 2026
| title = Bazookasaurus
| image = bazookasaurus_2x.png
| imagesize = 315x274px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = In contrast to the deep booming sound associated with the cannon in pop culture depictions, recent studies show it actually made more of a 'toot toot!' noise.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created ~240 mya, but not for the reasons previously thought. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

As with [[3185: Sauropods]], this comic relates to the reinterpretation of fossil remains on the basis of new evidence, resulting in radical new understandings of the creatures involved.

Various dinosaurs developed impressive-looking {{w|Thagomizer|spikes}}, plates, and the like, and the historical assumption has tended to be that these were used as offensive or defensive measures in conflicts with other dinosaurs. However, in some cases, later evidence has cast doubt on this, suggesting that the structures would have been too fragile or immobile to serve the purpose. Instead, it has been proposed that they may have been developed as a means of display, perhaps through a process of {{w|Fisherian_runaway|runaway selection}}.

This comic shows a Bazookasaurus, a fictitious dinosaur, which apparently developed a structure that bears a remarkable resemblance to a {{w|bazooka}} mounted on its back. Paleontologists supposedly believed that this was an actual functioning bazooka that was used by the animal, despite some rather obvious that would be presented to it in terms of acquiring, loading, and firing ammunition. Further study has shown that the structure would not have been robust enough to stand up to the forces involved in firing a bazooka, so could not have served that purpose, leading to a revision of understanding. The "bazooka" in question, however, bears little resemblance to its actual namesake, instead appearing as a wide sci-fi particle cannon adorned with bone motifs.

Vascularization studies (studies of veins) often demonstrate that specific tissues, disease-related vessels, or developmental structures are fragile. This means they are highly susceptible to damage, rupture, leakage or hemorrhage. A Bazooka wouldn't typically have veins in it, so a vascularization study would show that there isn't enough bloodflow{{citation needed}}.

The title text is referencing the fact that the calls of dinosaurs have been reappraised in recent years. Traditionally, and particularly in popular culture, they have been represented as having a deep roar or growl. This is probably through analogy with the majority of large fearsome animals that exist today, which have a tendency to make such noises. However, studies of the vocal apparatus available to them has suggested that they were more likely to make higher, more fluting sounds, with more similarity to today's birds.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>

Talk:3194: 16 Part Epoxy

2026-01-14T20:18:16Z

Lycheefoxpup: paint bucket

Woah, just reloaded it and new comic! Sick... I should probably read it now. [[User:Willintendo|Willintendo]] ([[User talk:Willintendo|talk]]) 20:02, 14 January 2026 (UTC)

Paint bucket fill tool strikes again. --[[User:Lycheefoxpup|Lycheefoxpup]] ([[User talk:Lycheefoxpup|talk]]) 20:18, 14 January 2026 (UTC)