One of the most unforgettable scenes in Jurassic Park, besides the Jurassic Park flare scene, is when a dinosaur flares its neck and spits its venom. It is such an indelible mark on the mind of any viewer. But what is the name of the dinosaur that flares its neck in Jurassic Park? Let's explore more about this iconic dinosaur and the reason behind the unique features.
Dilophosaurus: Jurassic Park’s Famous Neck-Flaring Dinosaur
The creature famous for spreading its neck and spitting venom in Jurassic Park is the Dilophosaurus. The predator is depicted as spitting venom and possessing an expandable frill around its neck, much like a cobra. It was a dramatic feature and made for an unforgettable moment in the movie where the dinosaur surprises Dennis Nedry by flaring its colorful frill before attacking.
Why Does Dilophosaurus Flare Its Neck in Jurassic Park?
In Jurassic Park, the neck-flaring behavior of the Dilophosaurus may be used to heighten suspense and to illustrate the creature's treacherous nature. One of the most important scenes in the movie involves Dennis Nedry, who is trying to smuggle dinosaur embryos out of the park. Driving off the road and then stalling into the mud, Nedry becomes confronted with what appears to be an innocuous Dilophosaurus, also often termed a "spitter."
At first, the Dilophosaurus is docile, which enables Nedry to let his guard down. However, in an instant, it flares its neck, displaying a brightly colored frill, signaling an extreme change in its nature. This is a stunning display designed to disorient and intimidate its potential meal and forms a basis of warning that danger is at hand. The neck frill introduces an element of surprise, making the hitherto harmless dinosaur a killer right before spitting the venomous secretions that ultimately killed Nedry.
The neck-flaring moment is one pivotal element of tension and transforms the Dilophosaurus from a deceptively cute creature into one of the most memorable threats of the film.
Did the Dilophosaurus Really Exist in Real Life?
Yes, the Dilophosaurus did indeed exist. It was a real dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period, around 193 million years ago. However, it was far from the version depicted in the movie.
While the movie Jurassic Park portrayed the Dilophosaurus as a small, venom-spitting dinosaur with a dramatic frill, the Dilophosaurus stands in contrast to the picture that was shown through Jurassic Park. In reality, the Dilophosaurus was a mid-sized predator, about 20 feet long.
Dilophosaurus stood out with a pair of crests on its head. These crests could attain to as much as a foot in height and were likely employed during display purposes, either in mating or establishing dominance within its species.
In addition to its distinctive crests, Dilophosaurus had mighty jaws and sharp, serrated teeth appropriate for cutting through the body flesh of small prey. Its body was agile, with relatively long legs.
Did Dilophosaurus Really Spit Venom?
No, the actual Dilophosaurus never spat venom. This was added for theatrical touches in Jurassic Park. While there are plenty of reptiles with venom in the wild, it has never been proven that any dinosaur could shoot venom as a line of defense or attack.
What Other Dinosaurs In The Movie Were Scientifically Inaccurate?
Other dinosaurs were also inaccurately portrayed in Jurassic Park for movie purposes. For example, the Velociraptors were made to appear much larger and more intelligent than they really were. In fact, Velociraptors were only as large as a turkey and not as menacing as its movie version.
T. rex is portrayed with poor eyesight in the movie, only able to detect prey based on movement. However, scientists believe that the T. rex likely had excellent vision and could track prey without relying solely on movement. This change was made to heighten the tension in scenes, but it does not align with what we know about T. rex's sensory capabilities.
These modifications to the dinosaurs' appearances and behaviors were intended to enhance the cinematic experience but stray far from the paleontological facts.
Bottom Up
So, we have an answer to the question: What is the name of the dinosaur that flares its neck in Jurassic Park? And that is the Dilophosaurus. While the dinosaur didn't really spit venom, the representation of Dilophosaurus with its two famous outstanding necks, along with the ability to spit poison, makes the movie a little more interesting and hazardous. Follow us to explore our latest articles and dive deeper into the real world of prehistoric creatures!
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