Attenborosaurus

* Evolution 2
* Database

* Evolution 2

***Attenborosaurus*** is a genus of marine reptile in *Evolution 2*. It originated from Early Jurassic Europe.

*Attenborosaurus* is among the five species included in the *Deluxe Upgrade Pack* for *Evolution 2*.

## Characteristics

Named after British natural historian David Attenborough, *Attenborosaurus* was a medium-sized pliosaur, reaching more than six meters in length and weighing a ton. It is notable for its long neck and paddle-like limbs, both of which allow this piscivorous marine reptile to move through water at high speeds and catch prey with its long, sharp teeth. Skin impressions found on its bones suggest that it may have had membranous skin, possibly to reduce water resistance.

## Gameplay

### Behaviour

Usually, *Attenborosaurus* gracefully navigates the lagoon. When hunger strikes, it turns to the marine shark feeder to fulfill its dietary requirements, ensuring its comfort remains intact, also improving enclosure comfort. However, if a shark feeder is absent, the *Attenborosaurus* will resort to hunting fish. Even if a marine fish feeder is accessible, it won't contribute to the creature's overall comfort level.

This marine reptile is naturally sociable, and a group of three individuals is needed for them to thrive socially. When multiple *Attenborosaurus* are present, you can witness them engaging in social interactions. Notably, these creatures don't demand as much space as larger lagoon inhabitants such as the *Mosasaurus*.

*Attenborosaurus* exhibits competitive tendencies, engaging in confrontations with both creatures of its own species and other inhabitants of the lagoon environment.

## Paleontology

The discovery of *Attenborosaurus* is an interesting story. The first fossils (albeit partial remains) of *Attenborosaurus* were unearthed in Charmouth, Dorset, Southern England in 1880-1881. These remains included the body, flippers, and skin impressions of a single specimen. Unfortunately, the remains were later destroyed during World War II in a bombing raid in November 1940. However, detailed plaster casts luckily were created and have since formed the basis for most of the study, allowing researchers to examine everything but the skin. Although initially mistaken for another species of *Plesiosaurus* upon discovery, analysis of the plaster casts confirmed that this was an entirely new genus. Further investigation in 1993 revealed that while sharing similarities with 'Plesiosaurus,' distinct differences in its body structure placed it within the pliosauridae family rather than the plesiosauridae family. Therefore, American paleontologist Bob Bakker gave the genus its name, in honor of Attenborough's life's work. Pliosaurs shared a fundamental body structure with plesiosaurs, but they were characterized by shorter necks and elongated heads. Some pliosaurs, such as *Attenborosaurus* and *Thalassiodracon*, occupied a role similar to plesiosaurs as agile predators hunting small creatures like fish and cephalopods. Larger pliosaurs like *Kronosaurus* and *Liopleurodon* were formidable predators of smaller marine reptiles, establishing themselves as apex predators in the ocean until the rise of mosasaurs.

### Paleoecology

*Attenborosaurus* lived approximately 190-200 million years ago during the Early Jurassic period in the Charmouth Mudstone Formation, roamed the warm waters just off the south coast of the United Kingdom. Other marine animals found here include *Plesiosaurus*, *Ichthyosaurus*, *Archaeonectrus*, and various ammonites and fish. Inland lived the pterosaur *Dimorphodon* and the primitive thyreophoran *Scelidosaurus*.

## Behind the scenes

*Attenborosaurus* was revealed to be included in the game after the pre-order announcement on August 25, 2021. It stands as the sole marine reptile available exclusively through the *Deluxe Upgrade Pack* for the game.

*Attenborosaurus* derives its name from the renowned natural historian Sir David Attenborough, who is the brother of Richard Attenborough, the actor portraying John Hammond in *Jurassic Park* and *The Lost World: Jurassic Park*

The *Attenborosaurus* is one of few species in *Jurassic World Evolution* 2 with no prior appearances in the franchise.

## References

1. ↑ Vaaler J. E. [Jens Erik]. (August 25, 2021). *Jurassic World Evolution 2 is Now Available to Pre-Order - Coming 9 November* [Online forum post]. Frontier Forums. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
2. ↑ Bakker, R. T. (1993). Plesiosaur extinction cycles - events that mark the beginning, middle and end of the Cretaceous. *Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper* 39:641-664