Unveiling the Fossils: Fact-checking Jurassic World's Portrayal of Prehistoric Creatures

The Jurassic World franchise, like its Jurassic Park predecessors, is known for creating exciting, thrilling movies that captivate audiences with the idea of reviving dinosaurs. However, the portrayal of prehistoric creatures in these movies is not entirely accurate. Here are a few reasons why: 1. **Feathers**: A significant number of paleontologists agree that many dinosaurs, particularly theropods (the group that includes Tyrannosaurus rex, Velociraptor etc.), had feathers or feather-like structures. The dinosaurs in Jurassic World are depicted without feathers. 2. **Size and Appearances**: Several dinosaurs are not accurately portrayed in their sizes or appearances. The Velociraptor in actuality was much smaller than its film depiction and was likely covered in feathers. 3. **Behavior**: The dinosaurs' behavior in the films is often sensationalized for dramatic effect. For instance, the T. rex’s persistent roaring and chasing humans is unlikely to be real T. rex behavior. Many animals use roars sparingly as it requires energy and can attract unwanted attention from predators. 4. **Marine and Flying reptiles**: The Mosasaurus (marine reptile) in Jurassic World is drastically oversized. In the film, Pterosaurs are portrayed as easily capable of picking up humans, which is unlikely considering their delicate bone structure. To create a more accurate representation while maintaining entertainment value, filmmakers can take several approaches: 1. **The Use of Feathers**: Integrating feathers into the presentation of dinosaurs can build a more realistic picture. The use of CGI can also still make these creatures look intimidating and ferocious. 2. **Realistic Behavior**: Animals' behavior in the movies could mirror actual animal behavior more closely, providing some educational value while also adding a level of realism to the films. 3. **Accurate Sizing**: Depicting dinosaurs with their correct sizes could easily be done without sacrificing the "fear factor". Audiences would likely find accurate portrayals of these amazing creatures just as awe-inspiring. 4. **Expert Consultation**: Continuous collaboration with paleontologists can be beneficial to ensure accuracy. This would not only enable the filmmakers to produce a more accurate representation of the prehistoric world, but it would also enrich the movie's plot with scientific facts and speculations, making it even more engaging. 5. **Balancing Fiction and Facts**: As in any sci-fi or fantasy movie, a balance has to be struck between factual accuracy and narrative elements that make the movie exciting. This balance can be reached without overtly sensationalizing physical features or behaviors. The enthusiasm and interest sparked by films like Jurassic World provides a valuable opportunity to engage the public in real paleontological science - doing so in a way that respects both the excitement of Hollywood storytelling and the fascinating facts of Earth's prehistoric past would undeniably be a win for both filmmakers and audiences.