When Jurassic Park hit the screens about 30 years ago, words such as Tyrannosaurus, Velociraptor, and Dilophosaurus became household names. Now with Jurassic World Dominion, the recent sequel in the Jurassic World franchise, there is renewed interest in these majestic creatures that once walked the Earth. Let’s take a closer look at some of them you’ve seen on the big screen.
Tyrannosaurus rex (T-rex)
Think Jurassic Park, and the first image that pops up will always be that of the Tyrannosaurus rex- the giant dinosaur with tiny forelimbs – that alternates between being an antagonist and an ally in the movie. The T-rex that stole hearts and awed us in the Jurassic saga is one of the largest theropod dinosaurs that walked the Earth. A partial skeleton of this dinosaur was first discovered in Hell Creek, Montana, the U.S., in 1902. Analysing the subsequent fossil findings, scientists observed that a T-rex could grow up to 40 feet long, 12 feet high, and weigh up to 7.000 kg. This ferocious predator had very huge skulls, powerful jaws and legs, and is one of the most popular and revered dinosaurs. It is believed to have lived in western North America. T. rex fossils have been discovered in States such as Montana and South Dakota in the U.S., and Alberta in Canada.
Know your dino
Genus: Tyrannosaurus
What it means: Greek for ‘King of the Tyrant Lizards
Type species: rex
Region: Canada, the U.S.
Period: Late Cretaceous Period
Time: 68 to 66 million years ago
Size: Estimated to have weighed up to 7,000 kg
Movement: On two legs
Food: Camivore (other animals)
Velociraptor
If there is one dinosaur that has been much celebrated and feared in the Jurassic saga, it is the Velociraptor. But did you know that the Velociraptor we saw in the movies and that terrorised us was modelled to twice its real size? In other words, the raptor was quite different in real life. Roaming the Earth during the late Cretaceous period, they were, in fact, feathered bipeds that grew up to just 45 kg. The first Velociraptor fossil was discovered in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert in 1923, and comprised a skull and a curved claw. Subsequent fossil discoveries indicate that the raptors had long feathers and wing-like arms, but were unable to fly. Velociraptors were indeed fierce predators. They exhibited several traits of modern-day birds such as plumage, hinged ankles, swivel-jointed wrists. wishbone, and so on.
Know your dino
Genus: Velociraptor
What it means: Latin, meaning Quick Plunderer
Type species: mongoliensis
Region: Central and Eastern Asia
Period: Late Cretaceous Period
Time: 74 to 70 million years ago
Size: Estimated to have weighed up to 45 kg
Movement: On two legs
Food: Carnivore (small mammals and reptiles)
Giganotosaurus
The Jurrasic Park franchise introduced the Giganotosaurus in its recent movie. The movie even features a fight scene between T-rex and Giganotosaurus. Let’s dismiss it as creative freedom because, in real life, these two giants wouldn’t have met! Giganotosaurus lived about 30 million years before T-rex, and they existed on different continents. One of the largest carnivores, the first specimen of this dinosaur was found in Southem Argentina. This dinosaur was gigantic when compared to other dinosaurs. This biped weighed up to 8.000 kg and is believed to have hunted Argentinosaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur. The fossil records are still incomplete, and it is too early to arrive at specifics. As per records, there is only one known species in the genus Giganotosaurus, namely Giganotosaurus carolini
Know your dino
Genus: Giganotosaurus
What it means: Greek for ‘Giant Southern Lizard
Type species: carolinii
Region: Argentina
Period: Late Cretaceous Time: 112 to 90 million years ago
Size: Estimated to have weighed up to 8,000 kg Movement: On two legs
Food: Carnivore (other animals)
Dilophosaurus
The Dilophosaurus was the most dramatic of all dinosaurs in the Jurassic saga. With its venomous spit and a collapsible and rattling frill, it had all the embellishments to catch one’s fancy. The movie depicted Dilophosaurus at half its size. In real life, these dinosaurs would stand up to eight feet in height and measure up to 25 feet in length. This biped had two unique crests of bone across the top of its head, was agile, and had a strong jaw and a bite that could be deadly. During its time, it was the largest land animal. The first fossil was discovered in Arizona, the U.S. Did you know that the dinosaur species Dilophosaurus wetherilli went by another name at first? This dinosaur was first mentioned in scientific literature as a new species belonging to a previously known genus Megalosaurus. It was only when the rest of the fragmentary remains were analysed and the specimen preserving the top of the skull and the dual crests were obtained did paleontologist Samuel Welles realise he had discovered a new genus!
Know your dino
Genus: Dilophosaurus
What it means: Greek for Two-ridged Lizard
Type species: wetherilli
Region: The U.S.
Period: Early Jurassic
Time: 190 million years ago
Size: Estimated to have weighed up to 300 kg
Movement: On two legs
Food: Carnivore (other animals)
Picture Credit : Google
