导读:研究者称，史上最大的恐龙脚印化石的发现，将有助于了解这种史前生物的生活习性。
The discovery of one of the largest ever dinosaur footprints could shed light on the behaviour of the prehistoric animals, researchers said.
研究者称，史上最大的恐龙脚印化石的发现，将有助于了解这种史前生物的生活习性。
Found in the Gobi desert and measuring 106cm (42in) long and 77cm wide, it is believed to be of a titanosaurus.
此恐龙脚印化石是在戈壁沙漠发现的，长达106厘米（42英寸）、宽达77厘米的，被认为是一只泰坦巨龙。
It was discovered in August in a geological layer formed 70 to 90 million years ago.
这个恐龙足印化石，是今年8月份在约7000万至9000万年前的地质层中找到的。
The print could help scientists understand the dinosaur’s social behaviour and walking patterns.
它能帮助科学家了解这种巨龙的生活习性和行走模式。
Shinobu Ishigaki, professor of palaeontology at Okayama University, and his team made the discovery in collaboration with the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.
日本冈山大学古生物学教授石垣忍及他的团队，与蒙古科学院共同发现了这块化石。
"Firstly, it shows us the posture of the dinosaur- that it has a broad track way. If we continue to excavate more, we’ll be able to find out more about how its walking style was like," he told the BBC.
他告诉BBC：“首先它向我们展示了恐龙的形态——这个脚印非常大。如果能发掘出更多，我们就能推断出它的行走方式。”
The print formed when the dinosaur walked in what was once soft ground, he said.
他说，这个脚印是它在那时的软地上行走留下的。
The titanosaurs were a diverse group of giant, long-necked herbivores. They are thought to have been more than 30 meters (98ft) long and 20 meters tall.
泰坦巨龙是一种大型的长颈草食恐龙，其体长可达30米（98英尺），身高可达20米。
Three other footprints belonging to different species of dinosaurs were also found at the site.
就在这个区域还发现了另外三个脚印，属于其他不同的恐龙种类。
Prof Shinobu Ishigaki said this might show us "social behaviour, because three other footprints were found walking in the same direction but they don’t belong to the same species of animal," he said.
石垣忍教授说，这可能显示出巨龙的“社会行为，因为另外三个脚印是在同一个区域被发现的，但却不属同一类。”
The footprints may also enable researchers to calculate the speed of the dinosaurs’ movements.
据说这些脚印还有助于科学家计算出恐龙走路时的速度。
