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#Post#: 20--------------------------------------------------
Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 16, 2012, 7:58 pm
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Tyrannosaurus Rex
Height: 23 feet
Length: 47 feet
Weight: 9 tons
Coloration: Dark brown with grayish black stripes along the
tail, neck and back
Social Structure: Solitary
Diet: Lots of meat from large animals. Due to its size,
Tyrannosaurus is primarily an ambush predator, preferring to
hunt large prey such as the unarmoured hadrosaurs although it
has been known to risk injury or even death by tackling the
large ceratopsians such as Triceratops. Tyrannosaurs are also
well-known scavengers, bullying away smaller carnivores from
their kills. Nothing of a carcass is wasted, as Tyrannosaurus
will also consume bone.
Preferred Habitat: Usually sticks to where it's prey is, like
the Brachiosaurus/Parasaurolophus paddock, or the Triceratops
paddock.
Description: Tyrannosaurus is possibly one of the largest and
the most fearsome of all predators of Isla Sorna. Only
Spinosaurus "robustus" is larger. Tyrannosaurus' primary weapon
is its enormous head- its skull is made of thick, heavy bone and
the jaw muscles are extremely powerful. The thick, robust teeth
which line the jaws are serrated along the front and back edges.
The arms are short in comparison to its body size with only two
visible clawed fingers while the hindlegs are very powerful. The
female is larger and more robust than the male.
Behaviors: Despite its size, Tyrannosaurus is a surprisingly
fast runner, able to run at up to 32 mph at short spurts when
chasing after prey. It only tends to reach these speeds when in
wide open spaces as tripping over obstacles and falling on its
skull can potentially prove fatal, especially if the animal
cannot right itself.
Tyrannosaurus attacks its prey head on with its jaws agape. The
prey is killed by one or more bone shattering bites to the head
or torso. Tyrannosaurus then eats quickly, comsuming flesh,
organs and even bone before other Tyrannosaurus are lured to the
kill by their acute sense of smell.
Tyrannosaurus are territorial and aggressive towards one
another. In breeding pairs, it is the female who dominates over
her mate. They will share a territory together, protecting it
from rival Tyrannosaurus. Females are unpredictable and it is
not uncommon for her to tire of her mate and attack him without
warning. As a result the male tries to keep the female
interested in him by regularly bringing her fresh kills as
gifts. He must also always be on top form, ready to battle with
rivalling males who may try to steal away the female as well as
the territory itself. The female will not tolerate an ill or
injured mate and she can and will kill him, even going as far as
cannibalizing from his remains.
Tyrannosaurus displays advanced parental care and both parents
participate in rearing the young. Eggs are layed in mounds of
dirt and the young are kept in nests surrounded by walls
constructed of mud and dung, ten feet across and lined with the
bones of previous meals. The young are extremely vicious from
birth and will attack their siblings until often only one - the
strongest infant - remains.
Both parents constantly drag carcasses back to the nest to feed
their offspring. As the young grow, the parents switch to live
prey which has been injured significantly to give the young a
chance to learn how to tackle and kill their victims by
themselves.
Upon leaving the nest the adolescent offspring accompany their
parents on hunts, co-operating together to bring down prey. The
young are driven away when they reach sub-adulthood, after which
they roam the island alone, seeking out territories and mates
for themselves. During this time competition between young
adults for food, territory and mates is highest. Many subadult
Tyrannosaurs are killed before they are full-grown; either by
their prey or other Tyrannosaurs.
Tyrannosaurus' roar is probably the most distinctive - and
terrifying - of all predator calls on Isla Nublar.
#Post#: 30--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 16, 2012, 8:32 pm
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Parasaurolophus Walkeri
Length: 34 feet
Height: 15 feet
Weight: 3 and a half tons
Coloration:
Male – A pale brown body with a white or cream underside. Dark
brown stripes run horizontally in pairs or in threes along the
top of the back on each side of the body, running from the back
of the head leading all the way down to the tip of the tail, as
well as several stripes on the backs of the thighs. The crest is
also a dark brown, however the entire head and neck gains a
vibrant red tint during the breeding season.
Female and juvenile (both sexes) – Overall a duller version on
the male; the whole body is of mottled browns (still with the
striping) and the underside is merely a little lighter in colour
than the rest of the body.
Diet: Their batteries of grinding teeth can handle practically
all vegetation on the island, so they’ll eat any plant matter
they come in contact with.
Preferred Habitat: Open spaces, preferbley with a nearby water
source.
Social Structure: Highly sociable, with large herds.
Extra Information: Paras are known to be the most sociable
herbivores on the island, often intermixing with herds of
Triceratops and numerous other herbivore types. Some para herds
have even formed symbiotic partnerships with groups of
Brachiosaurus Brancai. The paras, with their better eyesight,
keep on the lookout for predators, while the brachs repay their
smaller companions by protecting them with their immense size
and strength.
#Post#: 51--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 17, 2012, 3:52 pm
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Compsognathus longipes
Length: 3 feet
Height: 1 foot
Weight: 6 pounds
Coloration:
Adult (both sexes) - A bright green mottling with darker green
back striping.
Juvenile (both sexes) - A light brown that gain green
pigmentation later in life.
Diet: Primarily lizards, small mammals and invertebrates,
however compies are also opportunistic scavengers and will
consume dung and carrion. In fact compies were bred initially as
a form of waste disposal for Jurassic Park on Isla Nublar -
since the extinction of prehistoric bacteria which broke down
sauropod (and other large herbivorus dinosaur) dung, many
compies were produced to help keep the island clean since compy
dung is small and easily broken down by modern bacteria. When in
a swarm, compies are capable of taking down much larger prey,
usually dinosaurs the size of a Dryosaurus.
Preferred Habitat: These tiny dinosaurs can be found all over
Isla Nublar, however their preferred habitat is dense forest
with plenty of cover.
Social Structure: Social dinosaurs, preferred groups ranging
from two individuals up to 20.
Description: Small venomous carnivore, the smallest dinosaur
cloned by InGen. Sleek body, long neck, tail and legs, two
fingers on each hand. Jaws are narrow, filled with many sharp,
pointed teeth. Eyes large.
Behaviours: Compsognathus is one of the smallest and most
abundant of dinosaurs on Isla Nublar. Fast and intelligent,
compies are active both day and night. They are inquisitive and
appear to show no fear in the presense of larger animals,
however despite their "cute" appearance, compies are in fact,
very aggressive, and will not hesitate to bite on contact.
Like an army of ants, flocks of Compies patrol the jungle floor,
eating anything in their way from insects to small dinosaurs,
devouring them alive in a pirhana-like fashion. They produce a
mild venom from glands in the lower jaw, which is similar to
cobra venom, although not as complex. A compy's strong jaws lock
onto the victim and the venom is injected into the bloodstream
via its small teeth, similarly to a Gila monster. Although a
single bite would not do an adult human much harm, in high doses
the venom has a calming effect, preventing the victim from
struggling as the compy swarm begins to eat the prey even while
it is still alive.
Each individual in a swarm emits a pungent pheromone which fuel
their adrenaline levels, causing them to act erratic and
violent, as well as to appear fearless in front of larger
creatures.
Like raptors, compies are very vocal and communicate with a
variety of squeaks, whistles and chirps. Unlike a raptor pack,
compy packs appear to have no real heirarchy, however one or a
few individuals may appear more dominant over the group, and
wherever they go, the rest will follow. Lone Compies act much
like other small carnivores- timid and skittish- due to the lack
of pheromones being produced by others in a swarm. When alone
for too long, females become stressed and release infertile eggs
involuntarily.
#Post#: 52--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 17, 2012, 3:53 pm
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Gallimimus Bullatus
Length: 15 feet
Height: 11 feet
Weight: 350 pounds
Coloration:
Adult and juvenile (both sexes) – Shades of orange, with some
individuals having striping or blotches.
Diet: Although generally classed as a herbivore, Gallimimus is
in fact omnivorous, feeding on plants, fruit, seeds, eggs, and
small animals such as insects and lizards.
Preferred Habitat: Generally prefers wide open spaces.
Social Structure: Large flocks. Gallimimus commonly mingle with
larger herbivores such as hadrosaurs and ceratopsians.
Description: Bipedal omnivore. Long legged, gracile build, long
feet and absent hallux to allow for swift running. Neck is long
and head is small with large eyes and an elongated toothless
beak.
Behaviours: Gallimimus’ sense of sight is highly acute and thus
these dinosaurs are often the first to detect predators before
others - producing a brief, high-pitched scream as a warning
call. On Nublar, Gallimimus accompany flocks of Parasaurolophus.
Gallis are easily spooked- a sudden movement from even a
non-dangerous animal could potentially cause the entire flock to
stampede – and thus causing animals nearby to fly into a panic
and follow suit. Gallimimus are among the fastest animals on
Nublar, capable of running at speeds of up to 55-60 mph. They
stampede en mass and are incredibly agile, making it difficult
for a predator to select a single individual. This is not to say
that Gallimimus is not defenseless - the toes of its feet are
armed with strong, sharp claws, and a captured or cornered
individual will attempt to strike at its attacker with its
powerful legs and feet, much akin to a cassowary. A single blow
can kill a raptor. In addition to this, Gallimimus will attempt
to lash out with its clawed hands and bite with its sharp beak.
During the breeding season, Gallimimus follow the
Parasaurolophus herds to their nesting grounds. They do not do
this just to lay their own eggs however; Gallimimus flocks
follow the migrating herds because they have long since learnt
that a feast of Parasaurolophus eggs and hatchlings await them.
This is the only time the Gallimimus become a danger to the
nesting colonies of Parasaurolophus, and not all of them are
able to defend their nests. At least one egg and hatchling per
nest are taken by a Gallimimus, aiding population control.
With this abundance of food Gallimimus mate later in the season,
after the baby Parasaurolophus have all hatched and are still
confined to their nests. Males fight over females by kicking at
one another with their hind legs – a risky affair that has the
capability of causing severe injuries. After mating females lay
their eggs close to the Parasarolophus- not too close to be at
risk of the larger animals trampling their eggs, but close
enough to feel protected from danger. Nests are communal – many
females lay their eggs in a single nest and one sits on them
while several others take turns in standing guard and visiting
the nesting hadrosaurs to snatch a vulnerable nestling. During
the breeding season Gallimimus eat practically nothing but eggs
and infant hadrosaurs, and thanks to all the protein the young
Gallimimus hatch and grow quickly, being ready to join the
adults just when the Parasaurolphus young are leaving the nests
to accompany the adults.
#Post#: 53--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 17, 2012, 3:55 pm
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Velociraptor Antirrophus Nublarensis
Length: 15-18 feet
Height: 7 feet
Weight: 245 pounds
Coloration:
Male – Orange bodies with black stripes and pale white
underbellies. Eyes are greenish yellow with slitted pupils.
Female – Brown and gray mottled bodies with optional faint
striping and paler brown underbellies.
Juvenile (both sexes)- Pale brown, almost cream colored body.
Diet: Carnivorous, able to take mammals and small herbivores
when alone and hadrosaurs when in packs.
Preferred Habitat: Wide range of habitats from jungle, grassland
and wetland, even taking up residence in abandoned InGen sites.
Social Structure: Hierarchical Packs similar to that of a wolf,
with an alpha pair.
Description: Bipedal carnivore. The jaws are lined with many
sharp, serrated teeth and the grasping three-fingered hands are
equipped with strong, sharp talons. A raptor's most infamous
feature is an enlarged "killing claw" on the second toe of each
hind foot, resembling a scythe. The claw is capable of being
swiveled in a downward, slicing arc- an effective slashing
weapon. Nublar raptors appear more reptile-like in facial
structure than the more bird-like Sorna raptors and lack the
snout ridges or quills. Females tend to be larger than males.
Behaviours: Velociraptors are among the deadliest and the most
intelligent of carnivorous dinosaurs on Nublar. When hunting,
they stalk their prey slowly and patiently. One individual will
show itself, unnerving the victim in order to distract it from
the oncoming attack from the other raptors hidden at the
victims' sides and rear. A raptor's claws are used in
conjunction with its teeth to rip and tear into the victim's
flesh, inflicting terrible wounds from which it dies a slow,
painful death through blood-loss or shock. A raptor may also
employ its claws as hooks to climb up onto the bodies of large
prey in order to reach the more vulnerable neck region.
Nublar raptors have powerful hind legs which give them the
ability to run at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour on open land
and to leap incredible heights. They can also issue powerful
kicks to send its killer claw slicing through their victim's
belly and spilling the intestines.
Nublarensis raptors are generally more active at night. They
have high intelligence, having the ability to solve basic
puzzles such as opening doors and testing weaknesses in fences.
Nublar raptors have been known to kill for sport and seem to
take great delight in making their prey suffer. They are also
the most likely subspecies to turn to cannibalism, especially
when prey is scarce. They are highly vocal, communicating with a
variety of sounds including barks, chirps, hisses and screams.
Eggs and young are cared for in nesting communities, in which
all the adults of a pack will take turns in caring for one
anther's young. The chicks, while small and vulnerable, are kept
in dens dug by the adults or other animals to keep them safe
from large predators, and are fed on meat regurgitated by the
adults. As the young grow, they begin to hunt small prey, such
as lizards, mammals, and invertebrates.
Raptors are capable of communicating with over 2,000 different
sounds including barks, hisses, chirps and screams.
Additional Note: Both subspecies of Velociraptor are actually
engineered from the genes of Deinonychus. The Nublar raptors
were created by InGen after the Sorna raptors and were brought
to Isla Nublar to be displayed in Jurassic Park (unfortunately
the pack of females led by the so-called “Big One", managed to
escape their confinement and cause havoc) while several others
were released onto Isla Sorna after the project was abandoned.
These raptors tend to be far more aggressive than their
Sornaensis relatives, even towards their own kind. The Big One
was said to have killed five of the seven other raptors that had
been bred, for reasons unknown.
#Post#: 54--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 17, 2012, 4:00 pm
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Orodromeous Makelai
Height: 2 foot
Length: 3-5 feet
Weight: 6-8 pounds
Coloration:
Adult (both sexes)- Mottled browns with a tan underbelly
Juvenile (both sexes)- Uniform beige color.
Diet: Normally herbivorous, the Orodromeous population of Isla
Nublar will also consume small lizards and invertebrates. In
addition, Orodromeus has a natural sweet tooth and is drawn to
the tropical fruits that fall from the trees in the jungle. At
higher altitudes however, it has no problem subsiding off of
ferns and other leafy plants.
Preferred Habitat: Anywhere it can hide, such as in burrows or
thickets within dense forests and between rocks in mountainous
areas.
Social Structure: Small groups of three to five individuals
dominated by a mating pair.
Description: Tiny bipedal herbivore, not much larger than a
Compsognathus. Big, round eyes allowing for good night vision.
The body is lightweight, and the three toes on its hind feet are
exceptionally long and sturdy with sharp claws. The toes can
curl forward to grip branches as well as take the dinosaur’s
weight when it is hopping.
Behaviours: Due to its tiny size and lack of defenses,
Orodromeus spends most of its life in hiding. It digs burrows
somewhat like rabbit warrens underground, where it spends the
daylight hours curled up in its leaf-lined nest chamber – often
shared with other Orodromeus – until it can emerge to feed under
the cover of darkness.
When in danger Orodromeus flees by bounding like wallabies,
using its stiff tail for balance. It is also capable of
scrabbling up trees to escape from predators. Orodromeus can get
a reasonably good grip on branches with its grasping hands and
its long toes. Although it can evade predators by hiding in the
trees the Orodromeus is not a tree-dwelling species and thus it
must feed and reproduce on the ground. Like rodents, Orodromeus
is a fast grower and a fast breeder.
Orodromeus calls consist of quiet chirps and squeaks. Its main
predators on Nublar are Compsognathus and Troodon. Eggs and
juveniles are raised in their parent’s nesting chamber
underground.
Additional note: Orodromeous was bred on Sorna and were
considered as "pests" by InGen and stowed away on cargo boats
running to the mainland and to Isla Nublar. Due to its small
size and timid nature, upon their creation InGen suggested that
the tiny dinosaurs would make ideal pets to sell to the public
and some are winding up on an illegal pet trade now that they've
been discovered on native Costa Rica.
The idea for official sale never got far thanks to Hurricane
Clarissa, and the animals on Isla Sorna were released into the
wilderness. The majority of the tiny dinosaurs took residence
inside of the abandoned underground structures which predated
the InGen presence while a few smaller groups fled into the
ranges and jungle, although they didn't last very long. The
stragglers soon became extinct on Sorna, picked off one by one
by the Island’s predators; however a few individuals still
manage to survive on Nublar.
#Post#: 55--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 17, 2012, 4:01 pm
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Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis
Length: 16 feet
Height: 7 feet
Weight: 92 pounds
Coloration:
Male – A distinct bright red color, especially on the back, and
have pale yellow underbellies and markings on their flanks.
Female and juvenile (both sexes) – Like the male, only with a
more orange color instead of red and pale yellow backs.
Diet: Carrion, eggs, baby dinosaurs, tree-dwelling animals such
as birds, monkeys, sloths and ocelots.
Preferred Habitat: Dense Jungle and Forest.
Social Structure: Usually in male/ female pairs, occasionally
small groups.
Description: Small arboreal carnivore. Among the most
prehistoric species on Nublar, Herrerasaurus is surprisingly
advanced. It has a flexible hinged joint in its lower jaw which
allows it to get a good grip on its struggling prey. Its most
primitive feature are its hands which have five fingers instead
of the usual three seen in other, more advanced theropods. The
first two fingers and the thumb possess curved, sharp claws for
grasping prey. Its fourth and fifth digits are just small stubs
without claws. Like the modern clouded leopard, Herrerasaurus’
ankles can rotate a full 180 degrees, allowing it to run
straight down a tree. Its tail lacks stiffening rods and thus it
is incredibly flexible. It is in fact prehensile, much like that
of a chameleon. Like its tail, its entire body is much more
flexible than any other dinosaurs' to suit its tree-dwelling
lifestyle.
Behaviors: Herrerasaurus is the only arboreal dinosaur cloned by
InGen, and its tree-dwelling habits allows it to consume its
kills where no other predators can reach. Herrerasaurus is as
much at home in the trees as raptors are on the ground; indeed,
Herrerasaurus rarely ventures onto the ground unless tempted by
food or when the next tree is too far away to jump. Using its
tail like a fifth limb, it can spring through the jungle canopy
nearly as fast as the raptors can run along the forest floor.
Its flexible body allows it to take up residence in the densest
of thickets, slip through the smallest gaps in branches, and
even turn around at pursuing predators for a quick defensive
snap.
Yet another aspect of Herrerasaurus' unique lifestyle are its
nesting habits. Rather than laying eggs in a nest on the forest
floor, Herrerasaurus nest in the highest tops of trees on the
farthest, thinnest branches they can reach; far away from any
would-be egg thieves. Being rather monogamous, both parents take
turns guarding the nests while the other hunts for food.
Herrerasaurus bites are surprisingly strong; in fact
Herrerasaurus kills its small prey with a bite to the head to
shatter the skull while grasping and clawing with its hands.
Herrersaurus stalks its prey slowly and silently, leaping upon
its victim at the last minute.
Herrerasaurus’ cackling call is unique among theropods, sounding
like a sharper version of the hyena's laugh.
#Post#: 56--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 17, 2012, 4:04 pm
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Stegosaurus Stenops Gigas
Length: 40 feet
Height: 19 feet
Weight: 6 tons
Coloration:
Adult and juvenile (both sexes) - Gray and green mottled bodies
with gray plates (golden yellow in sunlight; tinted red or
orange when flushed with blood).
Diet: Low to medium-growth plants. Prefers tender shoots due to
its simple tooth structure.
Preferred Habitat: Broken forests with ample water supply.
Social Structure: Stegosaurus are a very herd oriented species;
a fellow Stegosaurus doesn’t even need to be in the same herd to
offer its protection for another. They are often found in herds
of four to seven but will also occassionally join up with other
stegosaur families. They have been known to herd with other
animals as well, if conditions of life calls for it.
Description: Quadrupedal herbivore. Stegosaurus is a
well-protected animal - its main weapon is the four lethal
spikes on the end of its tail which it can wield with incredible
skill. The tail is highly flexible so that the animal can strike
predators of any size and in any direction. In addition, the
animal's throat is protected by small, bony scutes. The most
distinguishable feature of this dinosaur are the double row of
large pentagonal plates running down its back.
Behaviours: Stegosaurus is one of the most recognizable
dinosaurs on Isla Sorna, and probably most famous for its tiny
brain, the size of a walnut. Despite its brain size, this
dinosaur is actually as intelligent as a modern day dog. It is
able to form defense formations and is also mildly strategic and
capable of organizing simple plans.
At one time, it was thought that the plates on Stegosaurus’ back
were used for defence, however InGen soon discovered that this
was not the case. Stegosaurs plates are far too thin to offer
good protection, and blood vessels run through the plates.
Instead they are used for display; when the animal is alarmed or
aroused (as in mating) blood flows through the vessels, creating
a vibrant red/orange coloration in the plates. This is to
warn/scare carnivores; while males use this ability to
intimidate rival males and to attract females.
Stegosaurus are normally docile and calm animals, however they
are fiercely protective of their young. Each herd member helps
keep a look out for danger. The young are particularly
vulnerable to attack from predators, but they can produce a very
distinctive alarm call which causes an immediate defensive
reaction from any adult Stegosaurus nearby. Stegosaurus' poor
eyesight is made up for its excellent sense of smell.
Stegosaurus herds are nomadic and have no defined territory.
They migrate from location to location, stripping one area of
plants before moving on to the next.
#Post#: 57--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 17, 2012, 4:05 pm
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Segisaurus Halli
Length: 4-6 feet
Height: 2-3 feet
Weight: 35 lbs
Coloration:
Male and male juvenile – Orange and brown mottling, with darker
horizontal stripes.
Female and female juvenile – A drab brownish-green with paler
underbelly.
Diet: Carrion, invertebrates and other small animals like
reptiles, mammals and dinosaur chicks or eggs. Small Herbivores
the size of Dryosaurus when in groups.
Preferred Habitat: Adaptable to any habitat, but prefers upland
areas.
Social Structures: Solitary or small to medium-sized flocks.
Description: Small venomous carnivore. Long, flexible neck; long
hind limbs well suited for running; long forearms. Lightweight
in structure.
Behaviors: Segisaurus venom is akin to that of a gila monster,
in that it must be chewed into flesh to be effective. Once
kneaded into the bloodstream, the venom works instantly; slowing
down the prey's metabolism and causing it to move in almost
slow-motion, thus allowing Segisaurus to pick chunks of flesh
off with their razor-like teeth without fearing a quick
counterattack. Segisaurus prefers its prey alive, and once the
victim has succumbed to its wounds, Segisaurus will eat
ravenously from the corpse until it goes cold.
Segisaurus possesses an ability unique among all dinosaurs- the
ability to see in ultraviolet light. This allows it to track
prey by urine trails and other bodily fluids, such as saliva,
perspiration, and, if they are lucky enough, even the lingering
breath of their prey. As the prey of this voracious predator,
the saying is true: 'You can run, but you can't hide'.
Segisaurus makes a distinctive whistling call that can carry
suprisingly far. This dinosaur is also probably the fastest on
Nublar, even more so than Velociraptor Nublariensis. Speeds of
up to 80mph have been recorded.
#Post#: 58--------------------------------------------------
Re: Isla Nublar - Dinosaur Field Guide
By: Dr. Dromaeosaurus Date: April 17, 2012, 4:09 pm
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Brachiosaurus Brancai
Length: 85 feet
Height: 62 feet
Weight: 83 tons
Coloration:
Male- Mainly a pale green and gray mottling, with pale yellow
striping on their bodies and a red crest.
Female and juvenile (both sexes) - Brown and gray mottling, with
some individuals having darker striping.
Diet: Treetop foliage.
Preferred Habitat: Brachiosaurus can be found in wide-open
spaces where there is sufficient tree coverage, often close to a
water-source such as a lake or a river, where they may bathe.
Social Structure: Brachiosaurus females live in small groups of
5-10 individuals dominated by a single matriarch. These herds
are well-spread out so that they do not overgraze. Long-distance
communication and mating contests are carried out through
song-like calls. Males are more solitary, seeking out the female
groups when it is time to breed.
Description: Brachiosaurus is by far the largest dinosaur on
Isla Nublar or Isla Sorna- indeed the biggest animal cloned by
InGen. Yet despite its enormous weight and volume, Brachiosaurus
is surprisingly graceful when in motion. Its long neck allows
the animal to reach heights of up to 14-15 metres (even higher
when the dinosaur rises up on its hind legs), enabling it to
feed on treetop foliage inaccessible to all other herbivorous
dinosaurs. As well as its huge size and long neck, this sauropod
is also easily recognizeable for its considerably longer
forelegs than its hindlegs (resulting in its distinctive
downward-sloping back) and its relatively short tail. The
Brachiosaur’s head is tiny and high-crested, with nostrils on
the forehead, and teeth shaped like chisels.
Behaviours: Brachiosaurus is a peaceful animal which enjoys the
company of various different species of herbivorous dinosaur
such as hadrosaurs and other sauropods; and they can often be
seen grazing together in harmony.
Brachiosaurs keep in constant contact with one another over long
distance through a variety of musical honks and bugles as well
as infrasonic booms which can travel incredible distances. Their
song-like calls are also used to settle disputes between
individuals, and to warn others of approaching danger.
Fights between Brachiosaurs are practically non-existent, with
disputes normally being settled by their calls and in extreme
circumstances, by standing side by side and shoving one another
until one backs down. It is its massive size which makes the
sauropod so dangerous; in that when agitated, Brachiosaurus pays
little attention to where it steps. Full grown Brachiosaurs
typically have little to fear from carnivores Ceratosaurus-sized
or smaller. Even Tyrannosaurus tend to avoid them; with the pack
hunting Velociraptor being the biggest threat.
After mating, female Brachiosaurus will congregate together,
often amongst Triceratops of Parasaurolophus, to lay their eggs
in mass nests in dirt or sand. The adults then quickly move away
due to the risk of crushing the eggs and hatchlings with their
large feet. Some may remain at a distance in order to discourage
predators; however the football-sized eggs are greatly sought
after and a majority of the eggs and hatchlings are taken by
small nest raiders such as Gallimimus, Segisaurus and
Herrerasaurus, thus helping to keep the numbers of these
gigantic dinosaurs under control. The hatchlings that survive
remain hidden amongst the forests and when grown large enough,
the young Brachiosaurs join the feeding groups of adults, and
although still vulnerable to canivores, they benefit from the
protection the larger individuals provide.
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