‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Features Two Fierce Aquatic Predators

The only thing scarier than a T. Rex on land is a T. Rex in water. Jurassic Park III‘s infamous riverboat scene had fans at the edge of their seats, and Jurassic Park Rebirth promises to do the same. We see the return of one beloved yet terrifying aquatic dinosaur and the appearance of something new. Both dinosaur species push the limits of fossil evidence, but some prehistoric authenticity exists. Here’s how the Spinosaurus and Mosasaurus fit Jurassic World Rebirth‘s scientific accuracy.

The Aquatic Dinosaur That Dominated the Waters

Crocodiles are modern relatives of ancient aquatic reptiles, highlighting how much the world has changed since the Triassic period. Compared to these prehistoric creatures, today’s crocodiles seem as mild as puppies. While we’ll never be able to see one in real life, Jurassic World Rebirth has done a great job of bringing one of these closely related dinosaurs to the big screen. The Spinosaurus did exist, and was an archosaur, the same class of species as the modern-day crocodile.

Outside of its oversized design and exaggerated ferocity, what we see in the Jurassic World Rebirth trailer could be a semi-accurate portrayal. Spinosaurus shares traits in common with modern crocodiles and had a bite force similar to that of the Nile crocodile. Its bite force of 4,200 PSI puts it only one dinosaur away from T. Rex at 8,000 PSI. This makes it quite the contender as a carnivore, and quite the hunter in marshes and shallow waterways. Its cone-shaped teeth mimic those of a crocodile, making it efficient at catching fish.

During the Mesozoic era, Spinosaurus would have dominated the waters. Paleontologists are still learning about this prehistoric predator, but they know it was adept at swimming. Its body was built for cruising, and it may not have ventured into deep water like Jurassic World Rebirth implies, but it was still formidable. Further evidence supports this, mainly in fossils showing its size. Spinosaurus was nearly 46 feet long and weighed 6 tons. There is still some debate over where Spinosaurus spent most of its time. However, Jurassic World Rebirth seems to support the idea that it was almost entirely water-dwelling. The dinosaur’s massive back sail and paddle-like tail could also support this argument.

Jurassic World Rebirth‘s Second Aquatic Contender

Unlike Spinosaurus, Mosasaurus is a squamate. As a member of the lepidosaur branch, it is more closely related to monitor lizards and snakes. Spinosaurus and Mosasaurus both lived during the late Cretaceous period, but they would not have encountered each other. Although they existed at the same time, they lived in entirely different regions. Spinosaurus was native to what is now Egypt and Morocco, while Mosasaurus has been found in oceans worldwide.

That said, they could only cross paths in a Jurassic World Rebirth scenario. In the trailer, Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) poses a hypothetical reason for the two species’ existence in the same waters. “They’re helping the Mosasaur,” says Loomis, “defend territory, stalk, hunt.” The likelihood of two predatory species like these coexisting is doubtful. Mosasaurus was a type of prehistoric lizard, and at 42 feet long, its size was comparable to Spinosaurus. This alone may have made them natural rivals.

Mosasaurus is also known as an apex predator. As an opportunistic hunter, it caught everything from sharks to other Mosasaurs. Evidence supports a predatory nature within Mosasaurus as well. Scars discovered on fossil remains indicate intra-species fighting. This evidence of defensive aggression in Mosasaurus suggests that encounters with a predator like Spinosaurus would have been violent. As a result, though, Jurassic World Rebirth might be onto something with the Mosasaurus‘s predatory instincts.

Depicting Two Aquatic Apex Predators

In Jurassic World, bigger is often considered better. While this approach doesn’t always align with scientific accuracy, it does allow for a more dramatic depiction of dinosaurs. Spinosaurus and Mosasaurus are larger than life in the Jurassic World Rebirth trailer, which lets viewers appreciate their finer characteristics. The Spinosaurus‘s tail is proudly displayed as it cuts through the water.

Mosasaurus is depicted as much larger than what is historically accurate, but it still features an elongated snout, slender body, and lizard-like tail. If nothing else, the film presents a scenario in which two apex predators might have inhabited the same waters. While evolution suggests this is unlikely, Spinosaurus and Mosasaurus would have been nearly equal opponents.