What Was the Swimming Dinosaur in Jurassic World: Dominion?

One of the most memorable scenes in the 2021 blockbuster Jurassic World: Dominion features a swimming dinosaur making its way through an icy landscape. This prehistoric creature, known as Pyroraptor, has captured the imagination of audiences due to its dramatic and seemingly extraordinary capabilities. However, delving into the real-world origins and characteristics of Pyroraptor reveals a fascinating story that challenges the cinematic portrayal in the film.

Pyroraptor: A Mysterious Theropod from the Late Cretaceous

Pyroraptor is a small theropod dinosaur that roamed the Earth during the late Cretaceous period, roughly 71 to 79 million years ago. It was primarily found in the French Badain Group, a sedimentary rock formation in France. Unlike the antagonistic and humongous version depicted in Jurassic World: Dominion, the real Pyroraptor was a relatively small and agile creature. Adult specimens were around 2 to 3 meters in length, making it a far cry from the giant, swimmers portrayed on the big screen.

The Reality vs. Hollywood: Is Pyroraptor Capable of Swimming?

The depiction of Pyroraptor swimming in Jurassic World: Dominion is a significant departure from the actual species. In reality, there is no credible evidence that Pyroraptor or any of its close relatives were capable of swimming. Theropods, including Pyroraptor, are primarily terrestrial predators. The idea of such a dinosaur swimming is purely fictional for the purposes of filmmaking, where spectacle and drama often take precedence over scientific accuracy.

No Evidence of Cold Adaptation in Pyroraptor

Another aspect that highlights the cinematic liberties taken with Pyroraptor is the scene showing it navigating through icy environments. While early Cretaceous environments were warmer, by the end of the period, conditions were cooler, but still not as cold as depicted in the film. The presence of Pyroraptor in such a setting is highly unlikely. The French Badain Group where Pyroraptor fossils have been found is known for its arid and semi-arid climate, much different from the icy conditions wildly imagined in the movie.

Other Real Dinosaurs in Jurassic World: Dominion

While the portrayal of Pyroraptor raises questions, it is worth noting that the film does include other real and plausible dinosaurs. For example, the Mosasaurus species is a classic choice for a swimming dinosaur and has indeed been fictionalized and brought back to life in various films and TV series. The fictional Mosasaurus in Jurassic World: Dominion closely resembles the actual species, which lived during the late Cretaceous period and were marine reptiles. They were capable of swimming and could thrive in cold waters, making them a fitting choice for a movie like Jurassic World: Dominion.

Conclusion and Scientific Assessment

In conclusion, while Jurassic World: Dominion takes liberties with the appearance and behavior of Pyroraptor, it does provide an interesting case study in the intersection of science and entertainment. The real Pyroraptor was a small, agile theropod that was better suited to terrestrial environments rather than cold, icy swamplands. These discrepancies between the film and scientific reality highlight the creative freedoms of filmmakers versus the constraints of paleontology and evolutionary biology.

Further Reading

To learn more about Pyroraptor and the actual creatures that inspired the dinosaurs in Jurassic World: Dominion, consider the following resources:

Pyroraptor on Wikipedia Fossil Evidence for a Small Theropod Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of France Mosasaurus: Marine Reptiles of the Cretaceous

By exploring these resources, you can deepen your understanding of the real-world dinosaurs and their fictional counterparts.