Carnotaurus (Jurassic Park)

Carnotaurus /ˌkɑːrnoʊˈtɔːrəs/ is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous period, between 69 and 66 million years ago. The only species is Carnotaurus sastrei. Known from a single well-preserved skeleton, it is one of the best-understood theropods from the Southern Hemisphere. The skeleton, found in 1984, was uncovered in the Chubut Province of Argentina from rocks of the La Colonia Formation. Carnotaurus is a derived member of the Abelisauridae, a group of large theropods that occupied the large predatorial niche in the southern landmasses of Gondwana during the late Cretaceous. Within the Abelisauridae, the genus is often considered a member of the Brachyrostra, a clade of short-snouted forms restricted to South America.

Carnotaurus was a lightly built, bipedal predator, measuring 7.5 to 8 m (24.6 to 26.2 ft) in length and weighing 1.3–2.1 metric tons (1.4–2.3 short tons; 1.3–2.1 long tons). As a theropod, Carnotaurus was highly specialized and distinctive. It had two thick horns above the eyes, a unique feature unseen in all other carnivorous dinosaurs, and a very deep skull sitting on a muscular neck. Carnotaurus was further characterized by small, vestigial forelimbs and long, slender hind limbs. The skeleton is preserved with extensive skin impressions, showing a mosaic of small, non-overlapping scales approximately 5 mm in diameter. The mosaic was interrupted by large bumps that lined the sides of the animal, and there are no hints of feathers.

The distinctive horns and the muscular neck may have been used in fighting others of its species. According to separate studies, rivaling individuals may have combated each other with quick head blows, by slow pushes with the upper sides of their skulls, or by ramming each other head-on, using their horns as shock absorbers. The feeding habits of Carnotaurus remain unclear: some studies suggested the animal was able to hunt down very large prey such as sauropods, while other studies found it preyed mainly on relatively small animals. Its brain cavity suggests an acute sense of smell, while hearing and sight were less well developed. Carnotaurus was probably well adapted for running and was possibly one of the fastest large theropods.

The InGen Carnotaurus were smaller than their real-life counterparts, measuring at 7 feet tall and resembling small Tyrannosauruses but with more bulldog-like snouts, bony protuberances above the eyes, and more stubbier forelimbs.

Camouflage

The InGen Carnotaurus had a highly developed form of camouflage well beyond that of any other animal. It was never known if this is a natural feature or a product of genetic tampering. By changing of color of their scales, the Carnotaurus could replicate complex patterns in the environment to such a degree that it made them extremely difficult to observe. They were nocturnal because their system of camouflage was most effective at night. Thanks to this ability, they were expert ambush predators, but were too slow to give chase to prey, relying on speed and the element of surprise to make a kill.

Role in the Ecosystem

The Carnotaurus pair made their territory in the area surrounding the Laboratory and the Worker Village. Few other animals would venture into their territory during the nighttime. Both the feared Velociraptors and Tyrannosaurus were observed to be wary in the vicinity of their territory, refusing to venture in at night. This meant that, within their territory, they were most likely the apex predator during the night. Once it became day, however, the Velociraptors and Tyrannosaurus would venture in, although the Tyrannosaurus would not stay in the vicinity for long.

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