Dinosaur World
Failing to extract dinosaur DNA from a Mesozoic mosquito as they did in Jurassic Park, we thought it a good idea to at least create an exhibit featuring thirteen life-sized dinosaur models, including the cuddly Tyrannosaurus rex, three Coelephysis predators out hunting together, a flying Pterosaurus and the large fish-like lizard Ichthyosaurus.
List of models
Deinonychus (The Terrible Claw)
Order: Saurischia.
Food: Predator, it fed on herbivorous dinosaurs.
Features: A small raptor, each three-toe forelimb boasted a very active and mighty claw, it moved on its hind limbs.
Size: 3 m.
Weight: 60 kg.
Time of occurrence: Jurassic, 113 million years ago.
Where found: North America.
Minmi
Order: Ornithischia.
Features: A small armoured dinosaur, which moved on all fours protected by its horny armour.
Food: Herbivore, fed on low lying plants.
Size: 3 m.
Weight: ?
Time of occurrence: Jurassic, 119-113 million years ago.
Where found: Australia.
Coelephysis
Order: Saurischia.
Features: A small raptor, with hollow bones, it moved on all fours.
Food: Raptor, fed on small vertebrates.
Size: 3 m.
Weight: 27 kg.
Time of occurrence: Triassic, 225 million years ago.
Where found: North America.
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Order: Saurischia.
Features: One of the largest predators; little two-toed forelimbs, huge jaws, it moved on its hind limbs boasting strong claws.
Food: Predator, it fed on large herbivorous dinosaurs.
Size: 12 m.
Weight: 6,400 kg.
Time of occurrence: Late Jurassic, 68-65 million years ago.
Where found: North America.
Pterosaurus (The Bird-like Lizard)
Order: Pterosauria.
Features: The closest relative of dinosaurs, long webbed wings reinforced by a single toe (the fourth toe).
Food: Predator, fed on various animals including fish.
Size: Smaller creatures: 30 cm, larger kinds: up to 12 m.
Weight: ?
Time of occurrence: Triassic up to early Jurassic, 113 million years ago.
Where found: USA.
Kentrosaurus
Order: Ornithischia.
Features: A large dinosaur protected by horny plates on its neck and back, with thorns on its back and tail, a small head; moved on all fours.
Food: Herbivore, fed on low-lying plants.
Size: 4.9 m.
Weight: 1,000 kg.
Time of occurrence: Jurassic, 156-150 million years ago.
Where found: Africa.
Heterodontosaurus (The Different Toothed Lizard)
Order: Ornithischia.
Features: A small dinosaur with heterogeneous teeth and a beak on its skull; moved on all fours as well as its hind limbs.
Food: Herbivore, fed on low-lying plants.
Size: 1.2 m.
Weight: 2.5 kg.
Time of occurrence: Jurassic, 205 million years ago.
Where found: Africa.
Pachycephalosaurus (The Thick-headed Lizard)
Order: Ornithischia.
Features: The largest ramming dinosaur with a reinforced skull; moved on hind limbs.
Food: Herbivore, fed on plants.
Size: 4.6 m.
Weight: ?
Time of occurrence: Late Jurassic, 68-65 million years ago.
Where found: North America.
Ichthyosaurus (The Fish-like Lizard)
Order: Ichthyosauria.
Features: A sea reptile resembling sharks or dolphins; the first terrestrial animal that later returned to the sea.
Food: Carnivore; fed on fish and cephalopods.
Size: Up to 3 m.
Weight: ?
Time of occurrence: Jurassic, 203-135 million years ago.
Where found: Europe.
Lyceanops
Order: Ichthyosauria.
Features: A lesser carnivorous dinosaur with long limbs and a small head with big canine teeth; moved on all fours.
Food: Carnivore, fed on thick-skin herbivorous dinosaurs.
Size: 1 m.
Weight: ?
Time of occurrence: Permian, 203-135 million years ago.
Where found: Europe.
Troodon (The Wounding Tooth)
Order: Saurischia.
Features: A small raptor, with big eyes and a relatively large brain, moved on hind limbs.
Food: Carnivore; fed on small lizards, mammals, and young dinosaurs.
Size: 2 m.
Weight: ?
Time of occurrence: Late Jurassic, 73-65 million years ago.
Where found: North America.
A brief history
The Dinosaur World display was set up in spring 2005, replacing a night species exhibit in the zoo's mansion.
