| This dinosaur, the Attenborosaurus, is named after the famed naturalist and documentarian David Attenborough. I guess you could say dinosaurs run in his family. |
Attenborosaurus is a genus of pliosaurid marine reptile in the Jurassic World Evolution series. Originating from Early Jurassic Europe, it was named after British author and nature historian David Attenborough.
Attenborosaurus was added to Evolution 2 as a part of the Deluxe Upgrade Pack, and its fossils can be found in the Jurassic Coast B dig site. Attenborosaurus then returns in the base game of Evolution 3.
Characteristics
Named after esteemed British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and writer David Attenborough, Attenborosaurus is a medium-sized pliosaur that measures more than six meters in length, weighs around a ton, and lived in Europe during the Early Jurassic period, around 190 million years ago. It is notable for its long neck and paddle-like limbs, both of which allow this piscivorous marine reptile to move through water at high speeds and catch prey with its long, sharp teeth. Skin impressions found on its bones suggest that it may have had membranous skin, possibly to reduce water resistance.
Gameplay
Evolution 2
Behaviour
Usually, Attenborosaurus gracefully navigates the lagoon. When its hungry, it turns to the marine fish feeder to fulfill its dietary requirements, ensuring its comfort remains intact, also improving enclosure comfort.
This marine reptile is naturally sociable, and a group of three individuals is needed for them to thrive socially. When multiple Attenborosaurus are present, you can witness them engaging in social interactions. Notably, these creatures don't demand as much space as larger lagoon inhabitants such as the Mosasaurus.
Attenborosaurus exhibits competitive tendencies, engaging in confrontations with both creatures of its own species and other inhabitants of the lagoon environment.
Available genomes
| Fossil icon | Dig site | Quality | Number available |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Jurassic Coast B | ★ ★★ ★★★ |
4 8 3 |
Skins
Evolution 3
Behaviour
Available genomes
Skins
Paleontology
The discovery of Attenborosaurus is an interesting story. The first fossils (albeit partial remains) of Attenborosaurus were unearthed in Charmouth, Dorset, Southern England in 1880-1881. These remains included the body, flippers, and skin impressions of a single specimen that measured between 4 and 5 m (13 and 16 ft) long. Unfortunately, the remains were later destroyed during World War II in a bombing raid in November 1940. However, detailed plaster casts luckily were created and have since formed the basis for most of the study, allowing researchers to examine everything but the skin. Although initially mistaken for another species of Plesiosaurus upon discovery, analysis of the plaster casts confirmed that this was an entirely new genus. Further investigation in 1993 revealed that while sharing similarities with Plesiosaurus, distinct differences in its body structure placed it within the pliosauridae family rather than the plesiosauridae family. Therefore, American paleontologist Bob Bakker gave the genus its name, in honor of Attenborough's life's work. Pliosaurs shared a fundamental body structure with plesiosaurs, but they were characterized by shorter necks and elongated heads. Some pliosaurs, such as Attenborosaurus and Thalassiodracon, occupied a role similar to plesiosaurs as agile predators hunting small creatures like fish and cephalopods. Larger pliosaurs, like Kronosaurus and Liopleurodon, were formidable predators of smaller marine reptiles, establishing themselves as apex predators in the ocean until the rise of mosasaurs.
Paleoecology
Attenborosaurus lived approximately 200–189 million years ago during the Early Jurassic period in the Charmouth Mudstone Formation, roamed the warm waters just off the south coast of the United Kingdom. Other marine animals found here include Plesiosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, Archaeonectrus, and various ammonites and fish. Inland lived the pterosaur Dimorphodon and the primitive thyreophoran herbivorous dinosaur Scelidosaurus.
Behind the scenes
Attenborosaurus was revealed to be included in the game after the pre-order announcement on August 25, 2021.[1] It stands as the sole marine reptile available exclusively through the Deluxe Upgrade Pack for the game.
Attenborosaurus derives its name from the renowned natural historian Sir David Attenborough,[2] who is the brother of Richard Attenborough, the actor portraying John Hammond in Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park
The Attenborosaurus is one of few species in Jurassic World Evolution 2 with no prior appearances in the franchise.
Gallery
References
- ↑ Vaaler J. E. [Jens Erik]. (August 25, 2021). Jurassic World Evolution 2 is Now Available to Pre-Order - Coming 9 November [Online forum post]. Frontier Forums. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ↑ Bakker, R. T. (1993). Plesiosaur extinction cycles - events that mark the beginning, middle and end of the Cretaceous. Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 39:641-664
External link
- Attenborosaurus on Wikipedia
