It's actually spelled Utahraptor, but I suppose Ultraraptor would be a cooler name.
Jurassic Park: Why no "Spitters" in sequels?
- Thread starter Whofan
- Start date
I really would recommend reading the novel when it comes to the 'raptors.
Crichton used Velociraptors because they fulfilled several criteria: They were known to be pack hunters, their skulls showed that they had rather large cranial cavities hinting at being more intelligent than the average species, they have a particularly intimidating "weapon" with the sickle claws and they were small enough to allow for a key plot point:
If they are in the sequel (and of course they will be) i'd expect them to have even more feathers than in JP3, since paleontological research has started to show that feathers were far more common amongst dinosaurs than initially believed.
Crichton used Velociraptors because they fulfilled several criteria: They were known to be pack hunters, their skulls showed that they had rather large cranial cavities hinting at being more intelligent than the average species, they have a particularly intimidating "weapon" with the sickle claws and they were small enough to allow for a key plot point:
The raptors are shown to have been breeding without the Park staffs knowledge because they were small enough to sneak into drainage areas and lay eggs. They were also small enough to sneak aboard supply ships without being noticed
If they are in the sequel (and of course they will be) i'd expect them to have even more feathers than in JP3, since paleontological research has started to show that feathers were far more common amongst dinosaurs than initially believed.
So? JP1 established that the dino-DNA was spliced together in parts with modern frog genes, and we all know how feathery frogs are. Why should the JP4 raptors magically evolve feathers when Ingen's first-generation products did quite well without them?
Yeah, real Velociraptors and Utahraptors would have been not just feathered but extremely bird-like overall. One aspect that is not represented accurately in the films is the shape of their heads, for instance. The raptors in the movie have broad muzzles like a reptilian wolf but in real life it would have been long and narrow. In other words, aside from having feathers, their heads were more like birds, although they lacked keratinous beaks. Another issue is with their hands, which were portrayed as human-like, when in reality they would not have been well adapted for grasping and been more wing-like.
Of course, real raptors would not have been very intelligent. In terms of brain size it would have been less bright than an ostrich... which would still have made them, along with species like Troodon and other Coelurosaurs, the most intelligent of dinosaurs.
Of course, real raptors would not have been very intelligent. In terms of brain size it would have been less bright than an ostrich... which would still have made them, along with species like Troodon and other Coelurosaurs, the most intelligent of dinosaurs.
Cmdr_Blop
Lieutenant Commander
I would love to see an "accurate" post-dino-era prehistoric film... accurate in the sense that it's not a "B-film", and that the animals are depicted as just that... animals, and not monsters. But you can't do that in the Jurassic Park universe, or else it's not Jurassic Park... it's Cenozoic Park, lol.
Plus, I feel that the JP films are pretty much done... I thoroughly loved both the first and second films, but felt the third was not at all needed... it was overdoing it just to milk the franchise.
Plus, I feel that the JP films are pretty much done... I thoroughly loved both the first and second films, but felt the third was not at all needed... it was overdoing it just to milk the franchise.
Not to bring anymore confusion to the mix, but I think Ultraraptor, while being the wrong one meant, is an actual species if I'm remembering right.
I agree with you, though considering our knowledge about dinosaurs is always advancing and we're always finding new stuff, I think the knowledge of what producers had at the point of production shouldn't be at fault. Considering that and in terms of physiology, it was actually a jump ahead in how dinosaurs were portrayed. There was a Disney animated movie awhile back that actually was pretty darned good that would be more in line with what you're thinking of. And I'd also recommend Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker, a novel that follows a raptor as it migrates. Quite realistic considering it was written by a paleontologist.
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So? JP1 established that the dino-DNA was spliced together in parts with modern frog genes, and we all know how feathery frogs are. Why should the JP4 raptors magically evolve feathers when Ingen's first-generation products did quite well without them?
Same reason the Raptors in JP3 suddenly got feathers and Alan Grant started dreaming about feathery raptors despite never seeing them before. Evidently in Jurassic Park land frog DNA let's you have a sex change whenever you get bored and grow a new outfit.
JP-what?So? JP1 established that the dino-DNA was spliced together in parts with modern frog genes, and we all know how feathery frogs are. Why should the JP4 raptors magically evolve feathers when Ingen's first-generation products did quite well without them?
Same reason the Raptors in JP3 suddenly got feathers and Alan Grant started dreaming about feathery raptors
JP-what?So? JP1 established that the dino-DNA was spliced together in parts with modern frog genes, and we all know how feathery frogs are. Why should the JP4 raptors magically evolve feathers when Ingen's first-generation products did quite well without them?
Same reason the Raptors in JP3 suddenly got feathers and Alan Grant started dreaming about feathery raptors
Denial really isnt healthy. We all saw JP3 but you will never get over it unless you accept that a terrible thing happened and then move on.
By repressing the memory you are only delaying the inevitable day when you wake from your bed in the middle of the night screaming "they sent the army and the marines!".
doubleohfive
Fleet Admiral
I have to say -- I am quite impressed (and somewhat disappointed -- but mostly impressed) that no one has taken this thread title and turned it into a dirty joke.
