Dryosaurus

* Evolution 2
* Database
* Evolution

* Evolution 2
* Evolution

***Dryosaurus*** is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur in the *Jurassic World Evolution* series, originating in Late Jurassic North America. A bipedal herbivore distantly related to *Iguanodon*, *Dryosaurus* is one of the smallest dinosaurs available to the Hammond Foundation, and is known for its speed and strong, stiff tail.

In *Evolution*, *Dryosaurus* is available in the *Herbivore Dinosaur Pack* and can be unlocked by progressing through the Science Division on Isla Sorna.

## Characteristics

*Dryosaurus* is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 140-155 million years ago. Weighing around 80-90 kg and measuring up to five meters in length, *Dryosaurus* is a small and agile herbivore with an elongated neck, slender but powerful legs for running at speed and a long stiff tail for retaining balance – both key attributes for escaping predators. Its name "*Dryosaurus*" translates to "*Tree Lizard*", derived from the Greek word "*drys*" meaning "*tree*" or "*oak*", referring to the forest areas these dinosaurs likely inhabited. *Dryosaurus* was likely dependent on its ability to evade carnivores in order to survive, being unable to defend itself by other means. The base genome of the *Dryosaurus* is green, with yellowish stripes across its body, similar to *Herrerasaurus*.

## Gameplay

### *Evolution*

#### Behaviour

*Dryosaurus* is a shy herbivore that needs dense areas of forest to feel comfortable. They can live alone or in large groups and make a great companion to larger herbivores. However they are defenseless against most carnivores. Just like its distant relative the *Iguanodon*, *Dryosaurus* receive paleobotany benefits from Rotten Wood and Conifers.

#### Skins

 NULL

 ARID

 JUNGLE

 STEPPE

 VIVID

 WETLAND

## Paleontology

*Dryosaurus* was one of the most common herbivores in the Morrison Formation during the Late Jurassic and as such is an extensively studied animal. While often thought of as a small dinosaur, the maximum size of *Dryosaurus* has never been recorded, as no fully grown *Dryosaurus* has ever been found. The closest are near mature individuals which measure up to 4 meters in length.

*Dryosaurus* was first discovered in 1876 by American paleontologist Samuel Wendell Williston in Wyoming, USA, although it wasn't until 1894 that is was classified as a new genus of dinosaur. Many more *Dryosaurus* fossils were unearthed during the 20th Century, providing examples of the genus at various ages. *Dryosaurus* was originally classified as a hypsilophodont, due to similarities in size and shape. Subsequent studies have rejected this classification, based on anatomical differences: the number of toes differs, as does the hip and dental structure. The Tanzanian *Dysalotosaurus* is another dinosaur so similar in appearance to Dryosaurus that some paleontologists have claimed the two are synonymous. This synonymy has been cited as evidence for a land route between Africa and North America during the late Jurassic. Geographical maps do not indicate the existence of a such a land route, however, and a 1981 study by Peter Malcolm Galton identified several differences between the two animals. Without the existence of a land route during the late Jurassic, these similarities could be simply a case of the two genera having relatively recently diverged.

*Dryosaurus* had a horned beak, densely packed molars and cheek pouches to prevent the loss of food while chewing. It had long, slender yet strong legs and a stiffened tail, as its main defense was to run from predators. It also had large eyes and near all round vision, indicating that it had good eyesight. This would have been useful in detecting predators and herds of *Dryosaurus* may have had a few individuals acting as lookouts, much in the same way as modern meerkats do today.

*Dryosaurus* was one of the first dinosaurs to have its growth studied. Young *Dryosaurus* grew up quickly and could walk and run in the first few hours after hatching. They continued growing throughout their lifetime, indicating that they were warm-blooded.

### Paleoecology

*Dryosaurus* lived in the Morrison Formation in the western United States in a semiarid environment with distinct wet and dry seasons. Co-existing with various dinosaurs, the main predators of *Dryosaurus* were small and medium carnivores such as *Ceratosaurus*, though larger predators such as *Allosaurus* would have also been threats. As well as their sight and speed, *Dryosaurus* may have mingled with larger herbivores such as *Apatosaurus*, *Brachiosaurus*, *Camarasaurus*, *Diplodocus*, and *Stegosaurus* for protection. It had an herbivorous diet, feeding on ground-level plants and shrubs. True to its name, *Dryosaurus* likely inhabited vast floodplains, river-lining forests and savannahs of the region. The flora of the time included fungi, mosses, and conifers.

## Gallery

VideosSpecies Profile - Dryosaurus
Images