Buzz
Jurassic World won't be out in theaters until June 12, but its official website is already offering a first look at the movie's new, genetically-engineered dinosaur, a creature named Indominus rex (meaning “Untamable king”). Known for its sharp teeth, aggressive behavior, and high intelligence, this beast is said to contain the combined DNA of several real dinosaurs, including the ones listed here.
1. Carnotaurus
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LIVED: Around 70 million years ago RANGE: Argentina MAXIMUM LENGTH: 25 feet (7.5 meters) NAME MEANS: 'Meat-eating bull'
Carnotaurus gets its name from a pair of devilish horns above its eyes. Additionally, this predator had bony lumps known as 'osteoderms' covering its backside, which leaked photos reveal that Indominus rex also shares.
Paleontologists believe that Carnotaurus might have been incredibly fast due to its muscular tail and strong hind legs. Its forelimbs, however, were far less impressive—so much so that they made T. rex's notorious arms appear muscular by comparison. Despite their shortness, these limbs contained robust bones, suggesting they likely had some functional purpose.
2. Majungasaurus
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LIVED: Around 66 million years ago RANGE: Madagascar MAXIMUM LENGTH: 20 feet (6 meters) NAME MEANS: 'Mahajanga lizard' (named after the province where it was found)
This creature has been accused of dino cannibalism, and the evidence is pretty compelling: Several recovered Majungasaurus fossils are marked with bite wounds that perfectly match the teeth and jaws of another Majungasaurus.
In terms of size, Majungasaurus wasn't particularly impressive, given its unusually short legs (for a carnivorous dinosaur). However, it had a strong neck, a sturdy skull, and a powerful bite—three characteristics we hope Indominus rex possesses!
3. Rugops
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LIVED: Approximately 95 million years ago RANGE: Niger MAXIMUM LENGTH: Likely around 20 feet (6 meters) NAME MEANS: 'Wrinkle face'
Known solely from its skull, Rugops featured fourteen openings arranged in two mysterious rows along its snout, which likely supported striking head crests. Like Carnotaurus and Majungasaurus, Rugops was part of the abelisauridae family, a group of predators that once dominated South America, Africa, Madagascar, India, and France.
4. Giganotosaurus
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LIVED: Around 97 million years ago RANGE: Argentina MAXIMUM LENGTH: Approximately 40 feet (12.2 meters) NAME MEANS: 'Giant southern lizard'
Comparable to (and possibly exceeding) T. rex in size, Giganotosaurus was one of the largest carnivores to ever roam the Earth. Unlike the blunt, bone-crushing teeth of the tyrant lizard, this predator's teeth were long and blade-like—perfect for slicing through flesh. Some paleontologists speculate that Giganotosaurus might have been a pack-hunter, comparable in size to a school bus, due to multiple skeletons of a closely-related species, Mapusaurus, found together. While this doesn't provide definitive proof, the idea is full of cinematic potential!
Here are two questions we hope Jurassic World will answer:
Where Did Indominus rex’s Opposable Thumbs Come From? Someone at Ingen decided to give this terrifying creature something we've never observed in real dinosaurs: thumbs like those of primates. While a few species, such as Europe’s Iguanodon, had thumb-like spikes on their hands, opposable thumbs, like the ones we use to play video games, are an entirely different story.
What’s the Deal with Its "Quills"? For reasons unknown, an herbivorous dinosaur called Psittacosaurus had striking bristles on its tail. Could the rods running down the Indominus rex's neck and arms be something similar?
