Bringing back dinosaurs would probably end in an… unfortunate outcome, as the Jurassic
Park franchise has shown us countless times.
So, I think most of us would agree that while resurrecting dinosaurs through some miraculous
future technology would be cool, it’s almost certainly not a good idea.
But I can’t deny, I’ve still always been interested in the concept of a responsibly-run
prehistoric reserve where nothing goes wrong and the dinosaurs don’t eat you.
That’s the basic concept behind the fictional park of Prehistorica, a biological nature
preserve where resurrected dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals are treated with care
and the fences actually work.
Prehistorica is a worldbuilding project created by Joshua Dunlop, a talented artist and creator
who you can follow and support in the links below.
And since we sadly can’t truly visit Prehistorica, for this entry into the archive, I’ll be
taking on the role of tour guide and giving you a glimpse of the well-managed prehistoric
reserve that I think we’ve all secretly wanted to vacation at…
The fictional reserve is set in the future, on an enormous artificial island.
Aptly named ‘Pangea,’ the island supports over twenty different biomes including tropical
and subtropical rainforests, deserts, mountains, tundra, woodlands, grasslands, mangroves,
and more — all of which are home to a variety of prehistoric life.
Our tour will take us across the entire island, and we’ll learn quite a bit about the species
here along the way!
So, get ready to discover the wonders of a world lost to time…
Welcome to Torosaurus Trail, the first stop on our tour.
Here, you can drive through the vast open plains in an autonomous vehicle, and get a
close look at the one-and-only Torosaurus herd.
These large frilled herbivores have grown accustomed to the armored viewing vehicles,
and will often lumber close by them — allowing for some exciting close encounters.
And next to these vehicles, it’s easier to appreciate just how large even the newborns
can get.
While you observe these magnificent creatures, a park ranger might point out the difference
between triceratops and torosaurus.
Some scientists have actually theorized the larger torosaurus is actually just the adult
form of triceratops — although more recent studies indicate they’re a distinctive genus.
If unique, Torosaurus had one of the largest skulls of any known land animal!
Fascinating stuff.
Away from the plains, in the misty jungles of Majungasaurus Mountain, you’ll have the
opportunity to see some truly mighty theropods.
From an underground viewing station, you can get up close and personal with the only majungasaurus
pack on Prehistorica.
Right now, it’s feeding time, and dinner is delivered in from above by custom drones
that lower the specialized lab-grown meat safely into the majungasaurus habitat — a
vast region, which, like most environments, is sectioned off with advanced futuristic
barriers to ensure the dinosaurs don’t eat each other… or parks guests.
While you watch the majungasaurus pack chow down on their air-delivered meal, you might
be interested to learn their teeth are serrated, and they have more teeth than most genuses
in their family.
These fearsome fangs likely helped majungasaurus take down small sauropods like Rapetosaurus
— a theory supported by Majungasaurus toothmarks on Rapetosaurus bones.
Down the mountain, you can take a stroll through the calming, temperate Wildwood, where you
might spot some gentle giants.
This unique genus of stegosaurid herbivores is incredibly well mannered, but can be a
little clumsy with the large point spikes on their bodies which help them defend from
predators.
So, it’s best to view the Kentrosaurus from a safe distance on one of the many elevated
viewing platforms.
If you’re wondering about the spikes, we can theorize from real fossils that Kentrosaurus
had long, pointed spikes in the back transitioning into shorter and flatter plates near the front
— with 15 pairs in total!
In short: Kentrosaurus was likely a very well-defended dinosaur.
If you’re not afraid of a little adventure, you can jump on a guide boat and make your
way down the muddy Diabloceratops River.
Here, you might be able to spot a Diabloceratops wading through the slow-moving waters to cool
off in the hot afternoon sun.
To ensure these animals aren’t pulled out of their natural rhythms, the tour boats don’t
get too close.
It’s worth noting the concept of Diabloceratops wading in rivers like a hippopotamus is purely
speculative.
Many of the most unique behaviors of modern animals wouldn’t be preserved in the fossil
record, so we can assume the same would be true for dinosaurs.
And since Diabloceratops likely lived in a region full of lakes and floodplains during
the Cretaceous, it’s a logical guess that a good wallowing would keep the horned-faced
herbivores comfortable.
Further downriver, the tour boats drift around the bend of Suchomimus Stream, a region where
you might see some of Prehistorica’s river-dwelling carnivores.
Believe it or not, the animal you see here is just a juvenile, and the adults get considerably
larger.
But don’t worry, the artist states these water giants can’t get close to the boat
thanks to an invisible fence system and non-intrusive underwater barriers that keep their toothy
jaws far away from park visitors.
Some paleontologists believe Suchomimus is a variant of the better known Baryonyx.
If unique, Suchomimus was likely larger than its cousin, with some estimates reaching 34
feet, or 10.3 meters.
And the author notes specimens of Baryonyx can also be found on Prehistorica, just in
a separate region, as both species are quite territorial.
Venturing all the way out to the tropical coast, there’s an opportunity to get a bird’s-eye-view
of the island of Pangea.
If you take a ride in a Coastal Skybox, you’ll get not only a view of the stunning cerulean
waters — but might also catch a glimpse of some of Prehistorica’s flying pterosaur
species.
The artist imagines the various pterosaurs of Prehistorica aren’t contained in an aviary,
but are allowed to nest freely on the coast thanks to each one being fitted with a tracker.
Real world pterosaur fossils have been found in an incredible number of locations all over
the globe, as this order was extremely diverse and successful.
When first discovered, people in the 18th and 19th century were baffled by these remains
— and some theorized pterosaurs were actually a lost order of flying marsupials.
Today, we of course know better — although it’s important to note that despite a common
misconception, pterosaurs are an order separate from dinosaurs.
On a state-of-the-art ferry, you can tour Archelon Harbour.
Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can grab yourself a kayak and get even closer
to some incredible prehistoric life.
If you paddle near the shallow waters of the coastal islands, you can watch Archelon Turtles
glide beneath your boat.
These enormous marine reptiles might be a little intimidating due to their sheer size,
but Archelon Turtles are actually some of the most docile and friendly creatures in
Prehistorica.
And I have to say, looking at this scene in particular… it’s hard not to wish that
this was a real place.
Real Archelons weren’t quite as big as Prehistorica’s resurrections, which the author notes aren’t
always 100% accurate, but they got pretty close — with some fossils measuring 15 feet,
or 4.5 meters in length.
Sea turtles were once thought to be Archelon’s closest living relatives, but now scientists
theorize Archelon might actually be a completely separate lineage...
Heading back inland, you can make your way down to Plesiosaurus Pond.
Through underground viewing zones, you and your family can take in the many species from
the Plesiosaurs order that call Prehistorica their home.
From behind the safety of the glass, you can watch Plesiosaurs glide through the water
and, according to the artist, might even get a chance to feed them, with a park ranger’s
assistance of course.
One neat fact to know about the Plesiosaurs before you toss some food their way is that
Plesiosaur fossils were discovered as far back as the 19th century.
One of the most important early specimens was found by Mary Anning, a pioneering English
paleontologist who made vital contributions to the field — though sadly never got the
credit she deserved in her lifetime.
Recently, however, the plesiosaur genus Anningasaura was named in her honor!
The sun is now getting low, but we still have time for a few more stops here at Prehistorica.
In the fictional Brachylophosaurus Badlands, if you come at the right time, you could be
some of the lucky few who get to see the first interaction between a Brachylophosaurus hatchling
and the rest of their herd.
These beaked dinosaurs are elegant and peaceful, making these first meetings a beautiful experience
for the guests who get to see one.
Millions of years after going extinct, these remarkable creatures are resuming these ancient
cycles.
Some real Brachylophosaurus specimens are notable for being exceptionally well-preserved
— with some remains of these mid-sized hadrosaurids possessing skin impressions and even the remains
of what they ate recently.
It seems their diet included leaves, conifers, ferns, and flowering plants… and we can
assume Prehistorica caretakers are feeding them their favorites.
And finally, as the sun sets on the island of Pangea, we’ll make our last stop on this
tour millions of years in the making.
The Brachiosaur Redwoods are home to a wide range of species, the largest of which is
the titular Brachiosaurus herd.
These titanic sauropods occupy a large area, and migrate each day to a lake where they
enjoy a swim before moving to the redwoods to graze.
The artist imagines you can view this vast herd from treetop walkways, which would be
an incredible sight.
While you watch the brachiosaurus munch on vegetation, you might be interested to learn
these world-famous sauropods have been estimated at over 66 feet or 20 meters in length — and
might have weighed more than 12 African elephants.
A seriously impressive genus to end our tour!
Though the sun has set on Prehistorica, you can check out the work of talented creator
Joshua Dunlop by using the links in the description below.
Also, thanks for watching.
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See you in the next video.