Monday, April 26, 2010

Grab Bag Trivia Question 5

What have scientists determined was inaccurate about the physical appearance of the terrifying Velociraptors in the 1993 sci-fi chiller Jurassic Park?

a. they should have had feathers
b. they should have been bigger
c. they were the wrong color
d. their tails were too long

The answer is A, they should have had feathers!

In 2007 paleontologists reported that they found quill knobs--where feathers had been anchored--on a velociraptor fossil forearm unearthed in Mongolia in 1998. Spielberg's version of the velociraptor also had some size issues: they were too big and their tails were too short and flexible when compared to fossil evidence. Also in Jurassic Park III, Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill, states that Velociraptor were smarter than dolphins, whales and some primates. Based on fossil evidence, this is highly unlikely. It is more probable that, while intelligent by dinosaur standards, they were less intelligent than modern big cats.

Stay curious,
Team ARC

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