What Jurassic Park Got Wrong About Velociraptors
TLDRThe video script discusses several myths about velociraptors as portrayed in the Jurassic Park franchise. It points out that the movie's depiction of velociraptors is not entirely accurate with modern paleontological findings. The video corrects misconceptions regarding the appearance, size, origin, intelligence, hunting behavior, claw function, and vocalizations of velociraptors. It explains that velociraptors likely had feathers, were about the size of a turkey, and were not as intelligent as the movies suggest. The video also clarifies that velociraptors were pack hunters, similar to wolves, and their claws were more suited for stabbing than slashing. The iconic Velociraptor screech from the movies is a Hollywood creation, and the actual sound they made is still a mystery. The video acknowledges that Jurassic Park, despite its inaccuracies, was a pioneering film in dinosaur representation and contributed significantly to popularizing these creatures.
Takeaways
- 🦖 The appearance of Velociraptors in the Jurassic Park movies is quite different from what new scientific findings suggest. They likely had feathers, making them resemble large birds rather than the scaly reptiles depicted on screen.
- 🦃 The size of Velociraptors was exaggerated in the movies. Fossil records indicate they were about the size of a large turkey, standing roughly one meter or three feet tall at the hip.
- 🗺️ The origin of Velociraptors as depicted in the films is geographically inaccurate. They were actually discovered in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, not in Montana, USA.
- 🧠 While Velociraptors were likely more intelligent than most dinosaurs, with a relatively large brain size for their body, they were not as smart as depicted in the movies. They were probably not capable of outsmarting humans.
- 🐺 The behavior of Velociraptors in the films, hunting in packs like wolves, is supported by some evidence. They may have hunted cooperatively, as suggested by fossil finds.
- 🦅 The claw of a Velociraptor was likely used for stabbing rather than slashing. It was pointed but not sharp on the underside, suggesting it was used to pierce vital areas or hook onto prey.
- 🎵 The iconic Velociraptor screech from the movies is a Hollywood creation. It's a mix of various animal sounds, and the actual sound of a Velociraptor is unknown but might be similar to modern birds of prey.
- 📚 The scientific understanding of dinosaurs has evolved since the first Jurassic Park movie, leading to new insights about Velociraptors that were not available when the films were made.
- 🔍 The name 'Velociraptor' has undergone changes in scientific classification. The species once known as Velociraptor is now called Deinonychus, reflecting ongoing revisions in paleontology.
- 📽️ The Jurassic Park franchise significantly contributed to the popularization of dinosaurs, making Velociraptors household names despite their inaccurate portrayal.
- 🦈 The intelligence of Velociraptors, as suggested by their brain size, indicates they were clever for dinosaurs, but comparing them to primates or dolphins is an overstatement.
Q & A
What is the main purpose of the video?
-The video aims to debunk common myths about velociraptors popularized by the Jurassic Park movies, providing updated scientific insights and contrasting the film's depiction with real-world paleontological findings.
What are some key differences between movie velociraptors and actual velociraptors as discussed in the video?
-Key differences include appearance (real velociraptors had feathers), size (real velociraptors were about the size of a turkey), intelligence (real velociraptors were not as smart as portrayed), and behavior (using their claws more for stabbing than slashing).
What specific discovery in 2007 changed our understanding of velociraptor appearance?
-In 2007, researchers discovered quill knobs on the forearm of a velociraptor fossil in Mongolia, which indicated that they had feathers, similar to modern birds.
According to the video, why did Jurassic Park use velociraptors instead of a scientifically accurate representation?
-Jurassic Park used velociraptors as they were described in a book by Gregory S. Paul, which influenced Michael Crichton. At the time, velociraptors were depicted as larger and scarier, making them more suitable as antagonists for the story.
What does the term 'Raptor' mean, and how does it relate to velociraptors?
-The term 'Raptor' means 'bird of prey.' This relates to velociraptors by highlighting their bird-like features and suggesting that they were more avian than reptilian, as supported by their feathered bodies.
How did the video address the portrayal of velociraptor intelligence in Jurassic Park?
-The video explained that while velociraptors had a relatively large brain compared to other dinosaurs, suggesting some level of cleverness, they were not as intelligent as depicted in Jurassic Park, where they were shown outsmarting humans.
What evidence suggests that velociraptors hunted in packs?
-Evidence supporting pack hunting includes findings from bone beds where multiple raptors were discovered alongside large herbivores, indicating a coordinated hunting strategy similar to wolves.
How did filmmakers create the sound effects for velociraptors in Jurassic Park?
-The sound effects for velociraptors in Jurassic Park were created by mixing the sounds of different animals, including dolphin shrieks and walrus grunts, to achieve both a terrifying and a size-appropriate auditory experience.
What might a real velociraptor have sounded like, according to the video?
-The video suggests looking at the vocalizations of the Steller's sea eagle, the heaviest bird of prey today, to get an idea of what a velociraptor might have sounded like, given their similar sizes and shared characteristics.
What has led to changes in our understanding of dinosaurs like the velociraptor over the years?
-Advancements in paleontology, new fossil discoveries, and better scientific techniques over the years have led to updated and more accurate understandings of dinosaurs like the velociraptor, correcting earlier misconceptions and media portrayals.
Outlines
🦖 Debunking Jurassic Park's Velociraptor Myths
This paragraph delves into the inaccuracies portrayed in the Jurassic Park films regarding velociraptors. It starts by challenging the common misconception that velociraptors were scaly reptiles, instead suggesting they were likely feathered, like modern birds. The paragraph also corrects the size, with velociraptors being closer to that of a turkey than an adult human. It addresses the origin, suggesting that velociraptors were found in Central Asia, not Montana. The intelligence of velociraptors is discussed, noting that while they were likely smarter than most dinosaurs, they were not as intelligent as depicted in the films. Hunting behavior is also explored, with evidence suggesting they may have hunted in packs like wolves. The paragraph concludes by dispelling myths about the velociraptor's claw capabilities and their likely vocalizations, which were probably more akin to modern birds of prey than the terrifying screams from the movies.
🦅 The Real Behavior and Appearance of Velociraptors
The second paragraph further explores the reality of velociraptor behavior and appearance, contrasting it with their portrayal in the Jurassic Park franchise. It acknowledges that while velociraptors were indeed intelligent hunters, attributing superhuman intelligence to them is an exaggeration. The paragraph discusses the evidence that velociraptors may have hunted in packs, similar to wolves, based on findings at bone beds. It also addresses the physical capabilities of velociraptors, suggesting that their claws were more suited for stabbing than slashing. Additionally, the iconic sound of the velociraptor, as heard in the films, is revealed to be a Hollywood creation, with the actual vocalizations likely being more similar to those of the largest living raptors. The paragraph also touches on the evolution of scientific understanding and naming conventions over the past three decades since the original Jurassic Park novel and film, noting that some aspects of the velociraptor's portrayal were based on the limited knowledge available at the time.
📺 Viewer Engagement and Future Video Content
The final paragraph serves as a call to action for viewers, encouraging interaction and feedback in the comments section. It also promotes the channel's experimentation with new video formats and requests support by sharing the video with friends. The paragraph includes a shout out to the first lab squad member who commented on the last video, fostering a sense of community and acknowledging viewer participation. Additionally, it teases upcoming video content related to dinosaurs, specifically mentioning a Jurassic Park T-Rex breakout Lego video and a Lego T-Rex build, inviting viewers to stay tuned for these upcoming releases.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Velociraptor
💡Jurassic Park
💡Paleontologist
💡Feathers
💡Size
💡Intelligence
💡Pack Hunting
💡Claw
💡Sound
💡Paleo Artist
💡Deinonychus
Highlights
Jurassic Park was one of the most scientifically accurate movies about dinosaurs when it was released.
Velociraptors in the movies are quite different from real velociraptors due to advancements in paleontological research.
Movie velociraptors are depicted without feathers, but recent fossil evidence suggests they were feathered.
Velociraptors were likely around the size of a fully grown male turkey, much smaller than depicted in the films.
The depiction of velociraptors' intelligence in Jurassic Park 3 as being smarter than dolphins or whales is a myth.
Velociraptors are believed to have been pack hunters, similar to wolves, based on evidence from bone beds.
The iconic claw of the velociraptor was likely used for stabbing, not slashing.
The velociraptor's screech from the movies is a Hollywood creation, and the actual sound is unknown.
The velociraptor's habitat in the films is incorrect; they were actually found in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia.
The portrayal of velociraptors in Jurassic Park was influenced by the scientific understanding and paleoart of the time.
The name Velociraptor and Deinonychus were subject to change as scientists' understanding of the species evolved.
The movie's depiction of velociraptors as highly intelligent is an exaggeration for dramatic effect.
Velociraptors were likely not capable of outsmarting humans, despite being more intelligent than most dinosaurs.
The sound design for velociraptors in the movies was a blend of various animal sounds to create a terrifying effect.
Modern comparisons to the velociraptor, such as the stellar sea eagle, can provide clues to their appearance and behavior.
The inaccuracies in Jurassic Park's portrayal of velociraptors can be attributed to the passage of time and new scientific discoveries.
The author of Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton, chose the velociraptor as the antagonist based on paleoart and its perceived threat to humans.
The video encourages viewers to engage with the content by sharing and subscribing for more dinosaur-related content.
Transcripts
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