Paleontologist Rates 10 Dinosaur Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider
TLDRDr. Dave Hohn, a paleontologist at Queen Mary University of London, critiques the portrayal of dinosaurs and pterosaurs in movies and TV shows. He discusses the myth that T-Rex can only see movement, debunking it with scientific evidence of their excellent vision. Hohn points out inaccuracies such as the exaggerated size of velociraptors, their lack of feathers, and incorrect head shapes. He also addresses the implausibility of pterosaurs lifting humans and the incorrect depiction of dinosaur eggs. The video provides insights into dinosaur behavior, suggesting that they might have recognized and cared for their young, and comments on the depiction of dinosaur herds and the defensive capabilities of certain species. Hohn also corrects common misconceptions about dinosaur anatomy and behavior, offering a more scientifically grounded perspective on these fascinating creatures.
Takeaways
- 🦖 The portrayal of dinosaur behavior in movies often exaggerates or misrepresents their actual size and abilities. For example, velociraptors are depicted as much larger than they were in reality and are shown as fully feathered, which is a more recent discovery.
- 👀 Contrary to a common myth, T-Rex did not have poor eyesight. In fact, it's believed to have had some of the best eyesight of any terrestrial animal, with a large eyeball capable of detecting movement effectively.
- 🐸 The idea that T-Rex could only see moving objects, similar to frogs, is incorrect. T-Rex had a different brain shape and was capable of seeing stationary objects as well.
- 🦈 Mosasaurs, large marine reptiles, are often depicted as much larger than their actual size, and while they were powerful predators, the portrayal of their behavior and physical features can be inaccurate.
- 🐣 Dinosaur eggs are more elongated and oval, rather than the classic hen-shaped eggs with large bulbs. This shape is more accurate for dinosaur eggs as depicted in some films.
- 🌳 Some dinosaurs, like pterosaurs, are inaccurately shown as being able to pick up humans with their feet, which would be anatomically difficult due to the structure of their feet and their actual weight.
- 🏃♂️ The running and movement of dinosaurs in films is often inaccurate. For instance, the up and down flapping of wings by pterosaurs does not reflect the complex aerodynamics required for flight.
- 🦕 The depiction of dinosaur herds and social behavior can be misleading. While some dinosaurs did exhibit herd behavior, there is evidence of age segregation, and the dynamics of these groups are not fully understood.
- 🦜 The vocalizations attributed to dinosaurs in movies are speculative. It's suggested that they might have had a range of calls similar to crocodiles, which are their closest living relatives, rather than the complex vocalizations of birds.
- 🦴 The anatomy of dinosaurs, such as the shape of their heads and the structure of their limbs, is often misrepresented. For example, Giganotosaurus is incorrectly portrayed with three fingers like T-Rex, and the head shape is inaccurate.
- 🧬 The concept of genetic hybridization of dinosaurs in the Jurassic World series, while fictional, raises interesting questions about the resilience of organisms to genetic manipulation and the potential unforeseen traits that might emerge.
Q & A
What is the common misconception about T-Rex's vision related to frogs?
-The common misconception is that T-Rex, like frogs, could only see movement. However, this is incorrect as frogs can see things that don't move, and T-Rex does not have the brain of a frog. T-Rex is believed to have had the best eyesight of any terrestrial animal of all time.
How does the size of the Velociraptors portrayed in movies compare to their actual size?
-In movies, Velociraptors are often portrayed as being much larger than they actually were. The real Velociraptors were about waist-high to a T-Rex when standing up, indicating that their size in movies is grossly exaggerated.
What is the correct depiction of Velociraptors' physical features according to recent paleontological findings?
-Recent findings suggest that Velociraptors were fully feathered, similar to modern birds. They should be depicted as completely covered in feathers. Additionally, their skulls were long and narrow, unlike the blocky heads often shown in movies.
What is the likely behavior of a Pterosaur when trying to pick up a human?
-Pterosaurs would not likely be able to pick up a human due to the design of their feet, which are not suited for gripping, and the significant weight difference. A Pterosaur of a size shown in movies would weigh around 30-40 kilos, making it impossible to lift a human weighing 60-70 kilos.
What is the typical call or sound that dinosaurs might have made, according to their closest living relatives?
-Crocodiles, being the closest living relatives to dinosaurs apart from birds, have a range of calls and growls. It is reasonable to assume that dinosaurs might have sounded something like crocodiles, rather than having complex vocalizations like modern birds.
How do the portrayals of dinosaur eggs in movies compare to real dinosaur eggs found by paleontologists?
-Movies often depict dinosaur eggs as classically hen-shaped with large bulbs, which is inaccurate. Real dinosaur eggs are more elongated and oval. Also, they are often found broken into many pieces, indicating they were more fragile and had a different composition than the hard, bird-like eggs sometimes shown in movies.
What is the typical group behavior of herbivorous dinosaurs, such as Sauropods?
-Herbivorous dinosaurs like Sauropods are known to form herds, and it's reasonable to assume that juveniles would stay with the herd. However, there is also evidence of cohort separation in some species, where juveniles leave the group once they reach a certain size.
How accurate is the depiction of a dinosaur's physical response to humans in a zoo-like setting?
-The depiction is often inaccurate. Dinosaurs, like other animals, would not have prior experience with humans and would likely react differently than shown in movies. They would not display the same behaviors as animals in a zoo that have been accustomed to human presence.
What is the significance of the crest on a dinosaur's head in terms of display and communication?
-The crest on a dinosaur's head, like the one mentioned for the Acer, is likely a display structure used for communication and signaling. It would be brightly colored to stand out, which is an important aspect for attracting attention or signaling to others in the dinosaur's social group.
How do the physical adaptations of large theropod dinosaurs, like T-Rex, affect their hunting behavior?
-Large theropods like T-Rex were built for endurance rather than speed. They were marathon runners with adaptations that allowed them to cover long distances at a steady pace. Their hunting behavior likely involved chasing prey over long distances until the prey was exhausted.
What is the most accurate portrayal of a dinosaur in a movie according to the script?
-According to Dr. Dave Hohn, the portrayal of dinosaurs in 'Jurassic Park III' is considered quite good. It features a large number of dinosaur species and fewer annoying child characters compared to other films in the series.
Outlines
🦖 Dinosaur Behavior and Misconceptions
Dr. Dave Hohn, a paleontologist, critiques the portrayal of dinosaur behavior in movies and TV shows. He explains that the idea that dinosaurs like T-Rex can only see movement is false, as they are believed to have excellent vision. He also points out that the size and feathering of velociraptors are often exaggerated, and their vocalizations are inaccurately depicted. Hohn discusses the physical capabilities of dinosaurs, such as their speed and jumping ability, and the likelihood of their ability to climb. He also addresses the flight mechanics of pterosaurs and the impracticality of their depicted ability to lift humans.
🐊 Dinosaur Sounds and Parental Care
The paragraph explores the sounds made by dinosaurs, suggesting that they likely had a range of calls similar to crocodiles, which are their closest living relatives. It also discusses the parental care behaviors of dinosaurs, which are part of the archosaurs group that includes modern birds and crocodiles. There is a debate on whether juvenile dinosaurs would stay with their parents or separate once they reached a certain size. The paragraph also touches on the display structures of dinosaurs, such as the crest of an Acer, and the potential for attacking with tails, which is seen in some species like the ankylosaurs and stegosaurs.
🦕 Dinosaur Anatomy and Predatory Behavior
This section focuses on the anatomy of dinosaurs, particularly theropods like T-Rex and Giganotosaurus. It corrects common misconceptions about their behavior, such as the idea that predators always attack immediately or that herbivores are passive. The paragraph also discusses the running style of large dinosaurs, their adaptations for long-distance chasing, and the impracticality of hiding or ambushing prey due to their size. It addresses the inaccuracies in the depiction of dinosaur scales and hands, which are often influenced by popular culture rather than actual fossil evidence.
🦈 Spinosaurus, Carnivore Dynamics, and Jurassic World Genetics
The final paragraph discusses the Spinosaurus, noting that it was poorly understood until recent discoveries in Morocco. It comments on the depiction of this dinosaur in a 2001 film and contrasts it with current scientific understanding. The paragraph also touches on the dynamics between large carnivores, suggesting that they might fight but would avoid lethal combat due to the risks. It highlights the powerful bite of the T-Rex and the genetic manipulation in the Jurassic World series, where scientists create hybrid dinosaurs with unexpected traits. The summary ends with a critique of the common question of which dinosaur would win in a fight, advocating for a more nuanced appreciation of these creatures.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Paleontologist
💡Dinosaur Behavior
💡Feathered Dinosaurs
💡Dinosaur Eggs
💡Parental Care in Dinosaurs
💡Archosaurs
💡Pterosaur
💡Mosasaur
💡Carnivorous Dinosaurs
💡Genetic Hybridization in Dinosaurs
💡Anatomy of Dinosaurs
Highlights
Dr. Dave Hohn, a paleontologist at Queen Mary University of London, discusses the behavior and ecology of dinosaurs and pterosaurs as depicted in movies and TV.
The myth that T-Rex can only see movement, similar to frogs, is debunked; T-Rex likely had excellent vision.
Velociraptors are often depicted larger than their actual size and with the wrong head shape; they were fully feathered like modern birds.
Dinosaur noises in movies are a mix of various animal sounds, but probably not as complex as those of modern birds.
Crocodiles, being the closest living relatives to dinosaurs, might provide a good approximation of their vocalizations.
Pterosaurs, unlike depicted in movies, would not have been able to pick up humans due to their lightweight build and foot structure.
Pterosaur diving is possible, but their exact capabilities in this regard are still uncertain.
The depiction of dinosaur eggs in movies is often inaccurate; they are more elongated and oval, not hen-shaped.
Dinosaur herds and parental care are supported by evidence, with some species showing both pre- and post-hatching care.
The portrayal of a dinosaur's tail as a whiplash weapon is unlikely due to the anatomy and function of the tail.
The size and behavior of the Giganotosaurus in movies is often inaccurate, with features mistakenly copied from the T-Rex.
Spinosaurus is depicted taller than recent findings suggest, indicating the evolving understanding of dinosaur anatomy.
The bite force and jaw structure of T-Rex are accurately portrayed in movies, reflecting its powerful predatory capabilities.
The genetic manipulation of dinosaurs in the Jurassic World series is criticized for its lack of scientific plausibility.
The behavior of dinosaurs in movies, such as their reactions to threats and their social structures, is often oversimplified.
The portrayal of dinosaur hands in movies, influenced by human puppetry, is often anatomically incorrect.
The use of electricity, such as a taser, on a dinosaur is theoretically plausible due to their nervous systems.
Dr. Hohn praises 'Jurassic Park III' for its depiction of a variety of dinosaurs and fewer annoying child characters.
Transcripts
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