CARNIVORES
ACROCANTHOSAURUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 100mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Giant Dinosaur, Apex Predator, Carcharodontosaurid
HEIGHT: Up to 13 Feet Tall
LENGTH: 36-38 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 6.6 Tons
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Acrocanthosaurus lived in North America during the Early Cretaceous Period from approximately 113 to 110 million years ago. It was first discovered in 1940 and later described in 1950. The most complete specimen of Acrocanthosaurus was discovered approximately 43 years after its initial discovery.
Acrocanthosaurus earned its name due to the high neural spines on the vertebrae of its neck, back, and tail. Paleontologists theorized that the neural spines may have existed to support muscle on the animal's neck, back, and hips such as the case with the modern bison. Other paleontologists suggest that it may have used these taller neural spines for display/special recognition or temperature control.
Acrocanthosaurus was believed to have been an Apex Predator during its time in the Early Cretaceous, and it would have commonly preyed upon larger dinosaurs such as Sauropods.
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
Established in the Western Regions of Petrel's Paradise, Acrocanthosaurus is among the island's top Apex Predators. As the rival to the formidable Tyrannosaurus rex, these two massive predators must reluctantly coexist with each other, and actively compete for dominance over their shared range and prey. The resilience and adaptability of Acrocanthosaurus allow it to stand its ground against the fearsome super predator and show the world why this Early Cretaceous theropod ruled over North America for millions of years before the reign of the Tyrant Lizard King!
Interestingly, Acrocanthosaurus boasts a superior immune system and metabolism compared to other cloned dinosaurs. This remarkable ability allows the Acrocanthosaurus to swiftly recover from various injuries and illnesses in relatively short periods of time! Even superficial wounds from bite and claw marks can fully heal in less than a couple of days. This impressive ability made Acrocanthosaurus an ideal candidate for study during the early days of Project Clone-a-Saurus by Pharma Synthetics.
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NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS:
IGOR - MALE ADULT ACROCANTHOSAURUS
​“Igor” is an Acrocanthosaurus that resides in the old Air Field on Petrel’s Paradise. He was given his nickname due to the abnormally large hump that connected various muscle tissues along its neck and back, which was reminiscent of the infamous hunchback from classical horror films. Igor is a fierce fighter, and always on the warpath when hunting! He will ruthlessly defend his kills against any Tyrannosaurs that dare to encroach on his meal! This tenacious carnivore refuses to yield in combat, and he will continue to fight until the bitter end! Never underestimate the indomitable spirit of “Igor” as he will always keep coming back for more thanks to his superior healing and immune system!
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CARCHARODONTOSAURUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 100mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Giant Dinosaur, Apex Predator, Carcharodontosaurid
HEIGHT: Up to 16 Feet Tall
LENGTH: 39-41 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 6.3 Tons
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Carcharodontosaurus lived in North Africa during the late Creta-ceous Period from approximately 99 to 94 million years ago. It was first discovered in 1914 and later described in 1931. Unfortunately, the specimen was destroyed in World War 2 during an Ally bombing raid on Munich in 1944. Luckily a new, nearly intact skull was discovered in 1995!
Carcharodontosaurus earned its nickname due to its sharp and serrated teeth that bore a strong resemblance to the teeth of the Great White Shark. Although the teeth were unable to crush bones, they would have been more than capable of shredding through flesh with the ease of a hot knife through warm butter!
As a North African dinosaur, Carcharodontosaurus shared its range with several different dinosaurs – including Spinosaurus! The two dinosaurs were able to coexist without issue (most of the time) as they occupied two different niches within their environment.
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
Due to genetic tampering from Dr. Crane, the Carcharodontosaurus exhibit a peculiar behavior that can only be explained as a “bloodlust”. Carcharodonotsaurus have specialized olfactory organs that can pick up the coppery scent of blood and carrion from up to a mile away. When consuming significant quantities of blood, these already aggressive theropods will go into a frenzy, further increasing their level of aggression to its extreme!
Despite not occupying the same ecological niche as Spinosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus fiercely competes with them for territory and common prey, even resorting to actively preying upon them! This originally started as a “feud” with Modified Spinosaurs as the two hyper-aggressive super predators were unable to coexist together. It eventually led to Carcharodontosaurs going after the Purebred Spinosaurus, unfortunate victims caught in the crosshairs of this bloody rivalry. The physical confrontations between these two African titans were frequent and led to a large decline in the Spinosaurus population.
The dominant presence of the Carcharodontosaurus not only poses a threat to the remnants of the Spinosaurus population but to the island’s other inhabitants as well. Other large apex predators’ behaviors and territory range started to gradually shift to regulate the Carcharodontosaurus’ erratic and violent behavior. This forced intervention helped to maintain an ecological balance and prevent the Carcharodontosaurus from destabilizing the ecosystem in its region.
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NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS:​
BRUCE - MALE ADULT CARCHARODONTOSAURUS
Bruce is a Carcharodontosaurus that resides in the South-East Regions of Petrel’s Paradise. He was given his nickname due to his shark-like teeth and insatiable bloodlust. His ghoulish appearance was the result of facial scarring formed from both interspecies and intraspecies combat. Yet, his most striking feature is the charred facial and neck scarring as a result of severe electrical burns. Driven by an unrelenting desire for blood, this violent super predator stalks the jungles of Petrel’s Paradise to find its next meal, start a fight, or kill for the pleasure of it.
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SPINOSAURUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 100mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Piscivore, Theropod, Giant Dinosaur, Apex Predator, Spinosaurid, Aquatic Dinosaur
HEIGHT: 16-25 Feet Tall
LENGTH: Up to 52 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 12-20 Tons
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Spinosaurus lived in North Africa during the late Cretaceous Period from approximately 99 to 94 million years ago. It was first discovered in 1912 and later described in 1915. Unfortunately, the specimen was destroyed in World War 2 during an Ally bombing raid on Munich in 1944. It was an unfortunate loss that set back Spinosaurus research!
What we know about Spinosaurus now definitely did not line up with its prior reconstructions! Spinosaurus is one of the most enigmatic dinosaurs in the fossil record as scientists can’t seem to agree on how it looked and how it acted, with some scientists arguing it acted like an oversized heron and others stating it acted like a crocodile. We have a reasonable amount of evidence to suggest that Spinosaurus was an aquatic pursuit predator!
Spinosaurus earned its name due to its large, round spine on its back. Paleontologists theorized that the spine may have served different purposes such as for display and special recognition or thermoregulation. It also occupied a highly unique and specialized ecological niche due to its conical-shaped teeth. They allowed Spinosaurus to easily latch onto fish and other smaller prey. Spinosaurus also share a special trait with modern crocodiles! They boast a type of pressure sensors on its snout, allowing it to easily detect the movement of prey underwater.
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
There are two distinct breeds of Spinosaurus on the island. There are Purebred Specimens, which have little genetic modification and closely resemble the true form of Spinosaurus, and there are the Modified Specimens, which have extreme amounts of genetic modification, and have a physiology that is akin to the traditional theropod.
Both Spinosaurus specimens thrived in the South East Regions of Petrel’s Paradise until the bloodthirsty Carcharodontosaurus started to overhunt them. The range of Spinosaurus shrank considerably and, eventually, they found refuge underneath the island, making Petrel Paradise’s intricate maze of caverns and tunnels their home.
The overhunting from Carcharodontosaurus instilled drastic behavior changes in Spinosaurus. Many of the individuals were unable to adapt in a timely manner which further contributed to the decline of their population. DPAA Authorities speculate that the Spinosaurus were suffering from a phenomenon known as “Ecology of Fear”.
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NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS:
ANUBIS - MALE ADULT "MODIFIED" SPINOSAURUS
“Anubis” is the sole surviving Spinosaurus of his family group. As a reminder of his tragic past, Anubis’ sail bears the distinctive bite mark of a Carcharodontosaurus. Anubis lives a solitary life, and rarely ventures out into the island to avoid any run-ins with Carcharodontosaurs. Anubis spends his days resting in his den; only leaving its comforts to fish out in the ocean, in the nearby river, or to feed on smaller animals that find themselves lost in the tunnels. Nestled within the wreckage of Captain Orion Crowe’s long-lost galleon, Anubis rests atop the plundered gold and treasure, evoking the striking image of a mythological dragon!
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TYRANNOSAURUS REX
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 100mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Giant Dinosaur, Apex Predator, Tyrannosaurid
HEIGHT: 13-19 Feet Tall
LENGTH: Up to 41 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Up to 8 Tons
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Tyrannosaurus rex lived in North America during the late Cretaceous Period from approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. It was among the last dinosaurs to walk the Earth before the KT Extinction. It was first discovered in 1902 and later described in 1905. Tyrannosaurus is the most well-documented dinosaur due to the large number of nearly complete specimens found, including the famous Tyrannosaur “SUE” in the Field Museum in Chicago!
Despite weighing about 8 tons, Tyrannosaurus was a very cunning and adept hunter! It had a remarkable sense of smell that allowed it to track potential prey for miles and excellent vision for finding prey! In other words, the Tyrannosaurus will probably spot you before you spot it!
Tyrannosaurus rex is believed to have the strongest bite of any known land animal on Earth! This gave a big advantage when hunting such large or dangerous prey such as Edmontosaurus, or Triceratops!
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
Due to a genetic anomaly resulting from genetic engineering, Tyrannosaurus rex possessed poor visual acuity. It rendered the carnivore unable to detect prey that remained motionless for long periods of time. This little defect in the Tyrannosaurus’ vision proved to be the stroke of luck needed to survive an encounter for a lucky handful, saving them from the jaws of this formidable predator!
With its dominion consisting of the entirety of the Western Region of Petrel’s Paradise, and extending into the neighboring islands within the archipelago, Tyrannosaurus rex held the title of the island’s super predator. At the top of the food chain, the Tyrannosaurus competes with most of the island’s theropods, but it is most notably in direct competition with the formidable Acrocanthosaurus. This fierce rivalry has shown how incredibly adaptable and resilient the Tyrannosaur’s rival is, and proves that it is more than capable of holding its own against the “Tyrant Lizard King”.
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NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS:​
GOLIATH - FEMALE ADULT TYRANNOSAURUS
“Goliath” is a Tyrannosaurus that resided in the South-West Region of Petrel’s Paradise. This colossal predator is believed to be the largest known Tyrannosaur ever recorded, measuring in at around 16 feet tall, 45 feet long, and weighing approximately 10 tons. Living a solitary life, Goliath roams its kingdom in a relentless pursuit for food. Its thunderous roar echoes across its territory, striking fear into the hearts of many dinosaurs, including other Tyrannosaurs! In every aspect, Goliath truly lives up to the name “Tyrant Lizard King”.
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ALLOSAURUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 75mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Large Dinosaur, Allosaurid
HEIGHT: Up to 16 Feet Tall
LENGTH: Up to 28 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 2 Tons
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Allosaurus lived in North America and Portugal during the Late Jurassic Period approximately 155 to 145 million years ago. Allosaurus was discovered in 1869 and described in 1877 during the infamous “Bone Wars”, a period of competitive fossil hunting between the paleontological rivals Dr. Edward Drinker Cope and Dr. Othniel Charles Marsh.
Allosaurus has the distinction of being among the few dinosaurs to have a nearly fully complete specimen found; the most notable individual “Big Al”, is one of the most scientifically significant dinosaurs to ever be discovered. Its skeleton is believed to be approximately 95% complete and it featured a wide array of fossilized injuries and serious infections that Big Al suffered before its untimely death. Some of these injuries include broken ribs and vertebrae, and a severe bone infection on its foot. It is worth noting that Big Al was thought to have been an Allosaurus fragilis, however, it was determined to be Allosaurus jimmadseni instead!
Allosaurus had a strong bite, but it was nowhere near as specialized for crunching bones as some of its contemporaries were. Rather, scientists believe that Allosaurus was capable of opening its jaws incredibly wide and using its powerful neck muscles to clamp down with its jaws and tear off large chunks of flesh!
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
Like Acrocanthosaurus, Allosaurus possess a robust immune system that specializes in healing various health afflictions and minor injuries. Although not as comprehensive or quick as that of Acrocanthosaurus, Allosaurus is able to heal from most serious injuries that could have easily debilitated other dinosaurs. Its remarkable immune system made it a prime candidate for study by Pharma Synthetics when they discovered that its white blood cells are able to combat different cancers much more efficiently than any other known animal.
The Allosaurus population on Petrel’s Paradise are among the most prolific animals on the island. As a testament to the resilience and adaptability of this Jurassic predator, the successive generations of Allosaurs are able to develop subtle adaptations and unique traits that enable them to thrive in their respective environments in unique biomes. Although solitary by nature, Allosaurus may hunt in pairs or in larger packs to take down large game such as Sauropods. These uneasy alliances are short-lived though as once the prey is subdued, a fierce competition emerges to claim their shares of the kill!
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NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS:​
BIG AL - FEMALE(?) ALLOSAURUS
Big Al is an Allosaurus that lives in the central region of Petrel’s Paradise. Living near the plains and light redwood forests, Big Al is adapted for pursuit hunting. It was named after its donor, the fossil specimen MOR 693, aka “Big Al”, as the genetic material found in the bones was used as the base for creating this unique individual. Like its predecessor, Big Al is very prone to injuries while hunting. Whether it can be attributed to a lack of experience or recklessness, most of Big Al’s scars and injuries stemmed from mishaps in pursuit of prey rather than fighting with other dinosaurs.
Interestingly, Big Al does not look like the typical Allosaurus fragilis, but rather some new species of Allosaurus. Further study will be needed... (NOTE BY DR.STERNBERG '94)
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CARNOTAURUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 50mm or 100mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Large Dinosaur (100mm), Medium Dinosaur (50mm), Abelisaurid, Camouflaging Dinosaur (Applies to non Scientifically Accurate Carnotaurus only)
HEIGHT: Up to 10 Feet Tall
LENGTH: 28-30 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 1-2 Tons
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Carnotaurus lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous Period approximately 71 to 69 million years ago. It was discovered in 1984 and described in 1985. Carnotaurus was a significant discovery as it had a large number of fossilized skin impressions, allowing scientists to get a good idea of what Carnotaurus’ skin may have looked like. Most reconstructions portray Carnotaurus as fairly scaly and well-armored.
Carnotaurus was named after its most distinguishing feature: the pair of keratinous horns that jut out from the top of its head. Scientists are unsure what the Carnotaurus may have used its horns for with prevailing theories suggesting they were used for display, interspecies sparring, or as goring weapons.
Carnotaurus was an excellent pursuit hunter, meaning that it could chase down its prey with great speed and relative ease. To achieve this enhanced speed, Carnotaurus had an incredibly stiff tail, which helped anchor its leg muscles. Although Carnotaurus was quite the speedster, this stiff tail also had its own shortcomings; it likely was unable to perform any tight turns and could only really run in straight lines making very gradual turns.
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
The Carnotaurus of Petrel’s Paradise possess a truly remarkable and unsettling ability, courtesy of the genetic manipulation by Dr. Albert Crane! Its skin contains chromatophores that allow it to change the color of its skin and seamlessly blend into its surroundings. With this camouflaging ability, Carnotaurus hunts in heavily shaded areas, dense jungles, or under the cover of night to become an invisible killer. Their camouflage can only be disrupted by shining a beam of light on it.
These deadly ambush predators often live and hunt in pairs as these dinosaurs mate for life. If one Carnotaurus is spotted, then chances are that there is another one close by!
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BARYONYX
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 50mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Piscivore, Theropod, Medium Dinosaur, Spinosaurid, Aquatic Dinosaur
HEIGHT: Up to 8 Feet Tall
LENGTH: 25-33 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 1-2 Tons
DANGER LEVEL: MEDIUM
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Baryonyx lived in the United Kingdom during the Early Cretaceous Period approximately 130 to 125 million years ago. It was discovered in 1983 and described in 1986. When its bones were discovered, scientists were able to also find the fossilized remains of its stomach. It revealed that Baryonyx fed on fish, making it one of the first confirmed piscivorous dinosaurs. Despite this, later specimens showed that Baryonyx may have also fed on smaller prey or acted as a scavenger!
Baryonyx is named after the oversized first-finger claws on its forelimbs. It is theorized by scientists that these claws were used for spearing fish.
Baryonyx lived a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Its crocodilian-like snout featured a variety of serrated conical teeth, making it adept at capturing fish! The shape of its jaws were angled in a manner where wriggling prey would be pinned down as it clamped its jaws!
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
Baryonyx are commonly found near large bodies of water such as bogs, rivers, or lakes, as well as the damp and water-logged caverns beneath the island’s surface. Baryonyx are semi-aquatic animals and equally adept at hunting on land and in water, making them a formidable force to be reckoned with.
When hunting prey other than fish, Baryonyx will employ a stealthy strategy. Remaining submerged underwater, they will patiently await the approach of unsuspecting prey. With lightning speed, they will lunge at their prey and snap its jaws down onto its head or neck. If the prey continues to resist and struggle, the Baryonyx will use its oversized claw to deliver a final and fatal blow!
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CERATOSAURUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 50mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Medium Dinosaur, Ceratosaurid
HEIGHT: 7 Feet Tall
LENGTH: Up to 19 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 1-2 Tons
DANGER LEVEL: MEDIUM
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Ceratosaurus lived in North America during the Late Jurassic Period approximately 161 to 145 million years ago. It was discovered in 1883 and described in 1884 during the infamous “Bone Wars”, a period of competitive fossil hunting between the paleontological rivals Dr. Edward Drinker Cope and Dr. Othniel Charles Marsh.
Before the Tyrannosaurus’ meteoric rise to fame, the Ceratosaurus was one of the original big stars in Hollywood during the early 1900s. It was featured in several famous films such as 1,000,000 Years BC (1966), Disney’s Fantasia (1941), and Brute Force (1914).
Ceratosaurus’ most iconic feature is the nasal horn that rests on the top of its snout. Since its initial discovery, scientists have debated as to what purpose the nasal horn served. Early scientists argued that it could have served some kind of offensive or defensive purpose for hunting and fighting other predators, while later scientists believed it may have been used for intraspecies competitions. Modern scientists theorize that Ceratosaurus used its nasal horn for display and species recognition.
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
Ceratosaurus are a common sight in the Orion’s Eye Archipelago. Their population is flourishing thanks to their highly adaptable and resilient nature. They can easily integrate themselves into new environments, seamlessly occupy different ecological niches, and prove to be a formidable competitor with other dinosaurs in their size class.
What sets them apart from other dinosaurs is the Certaosaurus’ remarkable variety in their head ornamentation. The nasal crest and eye horns of each Ceratosaur vary in size and shape, resulting in a unique look with each individual. Despite these diverse features, Ceratosaurus are easily able to identify individuals of the same species.
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DIMETRODON
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 50mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Synapsid, Medium Prehistoric Animal, Aquatic Synapsid
HEIGHT: 6 Feet Tall (with Sail)
LENGTH: Up to 15 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 500-600 lbs
DANGER LEVEL: MEDIUM
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Before we begin, despite being portrayed alongside other dinosaurs or even presented as one, Dimetrodon was not a dinosaur! Rather, the Dimetrodon was a Synapsid, which is defined by having a single hole behind each eye as opposed to two like with dinosaurs. Synapsids are a group composed of Mammals and their closest relatives... in other words, we are more closely related to Dimetrodon than any dinosaur!
Dimetrodon lived in North America and Europe during the Early Permian era approximately 295 to 272 million years ago, predating all known dinosaurs by 40 million years! The first Dimetrodon specimen was discovered in 1845 and later described in 1877 during the infamous “Bone Wars”, a period of competitive fossil hunting between the paleontological rivals Dr. Edward Drinker Cope and Dr. Othniel Charles Marsh. Dimetrodon grandis was originally described in 1907 but labeled as Theropleura grandis until it was re-examined and subsequently re-named in 1940.
Dimetrodon earned its name for having a set of small and large teeth on its upper and lower jaw. Dimetrodon has one of the first instances of serrated teeth in Tetrapods, making them effective predators and experts on tearing flesh into ribbons! Dimetrodon’s most distinctive feature is the massive sail that spans the length of its spine. The current function of Dimetrodon's sail is currently unknown, however, most scientists believe that it was used for special recognition as different Dimetrodon species featured different sizes and shapes of sails.
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
The Dimetrodon population is concentrated around the marshlands of Petrel’s Paradise. Leading a mostly leisurely lifestyle, these prehistoric animals spend most of their time lounging and resting in the swamps, and indulging on leftover carcasses. They rarely venture beyond the swamps except to hunt for more food.
A pride of Dimetrodon is structured around a dominant Alpha Dimetrodon as the leader. Below it in the hierarchy are the elders, females and juvenile offspring of the Alpha, and the resident males. Control over the pride may be challenged by nomadic Dimetrodon or the resident males within the pride. Should the Alpha fail to defend his title, he is exiled from the Pride and his offspring are killed off and eaten to make way for the offspring of the new Alpha.
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DILOPHOSAURUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 32mm or 25mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Small Dinosaur, Dilophosaurid, Venomous (Applies to non-Scientifically Accurate Dilophosaurus)
HEIGHT: 7-8 Feet Tall
LENGTH: 20-25 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 600-900 lbs
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Dilophosaurus lived in North America during the Early Jurassic Period approximately 186 million years ago. Dilophosaurus was discovered in 1940 and later described in 1954. This Jurassic predator is named after the iconic pair of crests atop its head. Scientists believe that the Dilophosaur’s crests were covered in a scaly skin and the crests themselves have an extension of the animal's sinuses. The function of the crests is currently unknown, however, the general consensus is that it was most likely used for display and species identification.
Despite what Hollywood and bootleg toys show us, there is no fossil evidence that Dilophosaurus had a frill or spat venom. Rather, the inclusion of venom comes from an old belief that suggested Dilophosaurus had a weak bite and jaws, and thus needed some kind of edge in hunting. Now we know that this isn’t the case as Dilophosaurus had a fairly powerful bite! In fact, it is strong enough to puncture bone!
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
Due to genetic tampering from Dr. Albert Crane, the Dilophosaurus is able to produce and use venom for hunting and taking down prey. Produced near the animal's sinuses and spat out through its mouth, the venom may appear as mucus, but it is fairly dangerous! It has a paralyzing effect that immobilizes prey for a short period of time. Although the effects of the venom eventually wear off, most of a Dilophosaurs’ victims don’t live to tell about it!
The Dilophosaurus are concentrated in swamps and the abandoned buildings across the island (with the exception of the Research Complex). These environments can provide Dilophosaurus with plenty of cover to perform ambush attacks with their claws or spitting venom!
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DEINONYCHUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 25mm​
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Small Dinosaur, Dromaeosaur
HEIGHT: 5-6 Feet Tall
LENGTH: 10-12 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 100-200 lbs
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Deinonychus lived in North America during the Early Cretaceous Period approximately 115 to 110 million years ago. It was first discovered in 1931 as Daptosaurus. Deinonychus was then “discovered” in 1964 and described in 1969, and with this new description, the Daptosaurus specimen was re-classified as Deinonychus.
The description of Deinonychus marks a pivotal moment in Paleontology as it helped revolutionize the way scientists perceived dinosaurs! Kicking off the period known as the Dinosaur Renaissance, scientists started to see that dinosaurs were actually sleek-bodied, intelligent, active, and warm-blooded animals.
Deinonychus is named after the large sickle-shaped claw adorning each foot. These claws can reach up to 5 inches in length, and they are often used for gripping onto larger prey, aiding in climbing trees, and landing killing blows on smaller prey.
When modern audiences picture a Velociraptor, they are actually thinking of Deinonychus! In the 1980s, a researcher proposed that Deinonychus was a sister species to Velociraptor, dubbing it Velociraptor antirrhopus. This theory and associated research was then referenced in the creation of the novel Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, as well as its subsequent film adaptation.
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
Two distinct specimens of Deinonychus genome were created as a result of major revisions to their genome thanks to Dr. Crane:
• A fully-feathered specimen
• A leathery and scaly specimen.
Deinonychus live in large tribes scattered across the Orion’s Eye Archipelago. They’ve managed to maintain a stable population through natural predation from larger predators as well as tribal disputes between each other. Both Deinonychus specimens possess high levels of intelligence, ranking alongside dolphins and apes. They’re able to communicate using different vocalizations to maintain their tribe hierarchy as well as coordinate complex ambushes and traps for their prey.
The feathered specimens display remarkable agility and they are able to glide through the treetops as well as swoop down onto their prey! This makes the feathered Deinonychus a danger on land and in the air!
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COELOPHYSIS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 25mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Small Dinosaur, Coelophysid
HEIGHT: 2-3 Feet Tall
LENGTH: Up to 10 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 60-100 lbs
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Coelophysis lived in North America during the Late Triassic Period approximately 228 to 201 million years ago. The first Coelophysis specimen was discovered in 1881 and later described in 1889 during the infamous “Bone Wars”, a period of competitive fossil hunting between the paleontological rivals Dr. Edward Drinker Cope and Dr. Othniel Charles Marsh.
Coelophysis is considered to be a “primitive” theropod for a variety of reasons. It is among the earliest known dinosaurs and its body shape is considered to be the blueprint for later and more developed theropod dinosaurs. One example of this is its vestigial fourth finger. This is a characteristic that would disappear in later Theropods as they would boast two to three fingers only.
Coelophysis was the second dinosaur to go to space! In January of 1998, a skull of Coelophysis was sent aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor!
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
As a result of genetic tampering by Dr. Albert Crane, Coelophysis’ bones were very pliable and cartilaginous. This gave the Coelophysis the unique ability of being incredibly flexible and helped them adapt a new technique for killing prey - Coelophysis can wrap themselves around their prey and constrict their prey tightly to break bones and crush organs, cause internal bleeding, and die from suffocation.
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TROODON
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 25mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Theropod, Small Dinosaur, Troodontid, Venomous (Only applies to the non-Scientifically Accurate Troodon)
HEIGHT: 2-3 Feet Tall
LENGTH: 8-9 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 60-80 lbs
DANGER LEVEL: HIGH
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
When it was originally discovered, Troodon was based on a single fossilized tooth, which led to several species with similar teeth being lumped together into Troodon formosus. This caused tremendous controversy and debate over the validity of Troodon as a genus. A study conducted in 2017 challenged Troodon’s classification due to the tooth specimen being considered as “undiagnostic” and this led to its dissolution where several Troodontids were separated into their own species such as Stenonychosaurus, Latenivenatrix, and Pectinodon. Now, a specimen of Troodontid from the Two Medicine Formation is currently being studied and researchers suggest that it may be re-classified as Troodon once again! Since Clone-a-Saurus takes place during the 90s, the lore of the game will refer to Stenonychosaurus as Troodon instead.
Stenonychosaurus lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous Period approximately 77 million years ago. The first Stenonychosaurus specimen was discovered in 1928 and later described in 1932. In 1951, the Stenonychosaurus was reclassified as Troodon inequalis, however, it reverted back to Stenonychosaurus in 2017.
Stenonychosaurus’ most notable characteristic is that it has the largest brain in proportion to its body amongst dinosaurs! This led scientists to believe that Stenonychosaurus was an incredibly intelligent dinosaur, and they theorize that it may have used primitive tools, boasted an impressive memory, and had simple reasoning skills as observed in modern birds today!
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
As a result of heavy genetic tampering, Troodon produces a potent venom that it employs to hunt and subdue prey. Upon injection into the bloodstream, the venom swiftly takes effect and induces paranoia and deeply disturbing hallucinations that last for a few hours before rendering the prey braindead and paralyzed.
The elusive Troodon are found lurking in the ruins of the abandoned research complex. When night comes, the Troodon will leave the facility and stalk the jungles of Petrel’s Paradise! As a nocturnal species, they are adept at navigating in darkness. Regarded as the most intelligent dinosaur on the island, Troodon’s intelligence surpasses that of Deinonychus! They demonstrate this remarkable ingenuity by using primitively sharpened sticks as tools against smaller prey. Furthermore, Troodon will also use their environment to set traps such as lay out twigs for prey to step on, dig holes for prey to fall into, etc.
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COMPSOGNATHUS
RECOMMENDED BASE SIZE: 15mm
KEY WORD: Carnivore, Omnivore, Theropod, Tiny Dinosaur, Compsognathid, Swarming Dinosaur, Venomous (Only applies to the non-Scientifically Accurate Compsognathus)
HEIGHT: Up to 1 Foot Tall
LENGTH: 3-4 Feet Long
WEIGHT: Approx. 8-10 lbs
DANGER LEVEL: LOW (unless in Swarms)
CURRENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE:
Compsognathus lived in Europe during the Late Jurassic Period approximately 150 million years ago. The first Compsognathus specimen was discovered in the 1850s and later described in 1859.
Compsognathus’ name means Elegant Jaw, which is in reference to how small and thin their jaws were. Compsognathus was believed to have been the smallest known non-avian dinosaur until Mahakala and Microraptor were discovered!
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SPECIES OBSERVATIONS ON PETREL'S PARADISE:
The name Elegant Jaw takes on a new meaning thanks to Dr. Crane tampering with their DNA! Compsognathus possesses the ability to produce a mild venom with narcoleptic properties. Upon injecting it into the bloodstream, the prey will become drowsy before falling asleep. Although the effects of the venom eventually wear off, Compsognathus typically kill their prey before then!
Having thrived in island settings in the late Jurassic, Compsognathus continues to thrive in the Orion’s Eye Archipelago. With a staggering population in the high hundreds, these little critters are among the most successful animals on the island chain. Compsognathus aren’t only found on this island chain, some have even managed to stow away on ships and other cargo vessels to inadvertently travel to mainland South America and Africa!
Due to their incredibly small size, the Compsognathus tend to congregate in large packs known as a “murder” for protection and to hunt smaller prey such as Microceratus and sometimes even Humans! A murder of Compsognathus typically consists of 6 to 20 individuals! If a single “Compy” is spotted out in the wild, chances are there are actually a whole lot more just a few feet away!
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