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"Running into a Dimetrodon in Jurassic Park would have been an interesting experience - and a dangerous one!"
—Kenner collector card(src)


Dimetrodon was a pelycosaur, one of a number of animals known as synapsids that dominated the Early Permian period. It was a large meat-eater with a very interesting bodily feature: a large sail on its back. Although often mistaken for a dinosaur, it died out long before dinosaurs evolved and is more closely related to modern mammals.

The sail of Dimetrodon is believed to have served as a kind of solar panel, letting it warm up in the morning and cool off more efficiently during the heat of the day. This heightened temperature control would have enabled it to enhance its stamina and catch slower synapsids. But this is theory is very controversial, and the sail may just have been for visual display only.

Dimetrodon is distinguished from dinosaurs by the anatomy of its skull. Its large head possessed a hole (temporal fenestra) behind its eye socket called the synapsid opening: a feature present in all mammals. This opening provided the jaw muscles better strength, thus allowing for a more powerful bite.

Two types of teeth lined Dimetrodon's jaws. Sharp fang-like teeth for ripping and tearing in the front, and smaller cheek teeth in the back that were designed for shredding the meat.[1]

This information stood on the collector card from the Kenner toyline:

'Scientists once speculated that Dimetrodon's unique dorsal structure was used as a sail to help the animal swim. Now, however, the more widely accepted explanation is that the spines were involved in regulating body temperature, as blood flowing through the sail could be warmed or cooled more quickly than in the rest of the body.


Wikipedia
Wikipedia has a more detailed and comprehensive article on Dimetrodon



Characteristics[]

The cloned Dimetrodon look very similar to their Permian predecessors (lizard-like body, sail on back, etc), but there are minor differences. One being is the clones seem more reptilian than mammalian. In fact, they resemble the Dimetrodon statues in Benjamin Lockwood's museum in the Lockwood Manor in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Therefore, even though the cloned Dimetrodon have a shorter head, they also have osteoderms like crocodiles, the skin in the sail are more extensive than the original, the head is more box-shaped and have the notch in the top jaw the real animal had.

Behavior[]

In the Biosyn Sanctuary, Dimetrodon have been observed living in caves and coexisting with one another. While it is unknown if conflicts arise among them, it is evident that they hunt as a pack. This is demonstrated by their predatory behavior towards humans who enter their territory. Evidence of this can be seen in the presence of human skulls that show signs of being consumed by the Dimetrodon.

History[]

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom[]

Dimetrodon itself doesn't appear in the movie, although a statue of a Dimetrodon is seen in Benjamin Lockwood's museum in the Lockwood Manor.

Jurassic World: Dominion[]

Dimetrodon was recreated by Biosyn some time before 2022. Several Dimetrodons attacked Maisie Lockwood, Alan Grant, and Ellie Sattler in the Amber Mines. One ripped Grant’s hat, which Billy gave to him, to shreds. None were seen escaping the forest fire because they were still inside the amber mines during the evacuation. It is possible they are continuing to live in the wild or living in the abandoned amber mines after the abandonment of the sanctuary, which is now an international sanctuary.

Gallery[]

Promotional Images[]

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom[]

Jurassic World: Dominion[]

Comics[]

Dimetrodon

Dimetrodon on cover Jurassic Park: Redemption III

Dimetrodon appears on the alternative cover of Jurassic Park: Redemption III. A green Dimetrodon is sitting on a blue car in a car lot. This event never happens in the comic series.

Dimetrodon appears in Jurassic Park: Redemption II, though it is only seen in two images. Dimetrodon is one of the many new species of prehistoric animals that is intended to be in the new Jurassic Park that Tim Murphy and the “unknown” investor created.

Even though Dimetrodon is a carnivore, it’s seen eating the hay that is in its pen. This is one of the many scientific inaccuracies in Jurassic Park: Redemption. This suggests that it may instead be an Edaphosaurus, an herbivorous relative of Dimetrodon or some herbivorous pelycosaur, although it more closely resembles Dimetrodon. Given the art style of the comic is often rife with unusual design choices, it is effectively impossible to tell.

Jurassicpark02pg019

As shown in the comics redemption lines.

Trivia[]

  • It is unknown how Biosyn obtained DNA to clone Dimetrodon, since the species lived millions of years before either mosquitoes or amber existed.
  • Dimetrodon is thus far the oldest prehistoric animal featured in the entire franchise.

Behind the Scenes[]

Dimetrodon was portrayed in Jurassic World: Dominion partly through animatronics created by John Nolan Studios.

References[]

Links[]

Navigation[]

Jurassic World: Dominion Prehistoric Creatures
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