Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 2:50 PM230 million years ago, a new group of animals arrived on the scene. Nothing, before or after, were like them. They are perhaps the most extraordinary creatures of all time. The dinosaurs. For 160 million years they dominated the Earth. From as far north as Alaska, to as far south as Antarctica. From the plains of Australia, to the forests of America. The dinosaurs were one of lifes great success stories. Now, take a journey back in time and experience their world. The world of these Mesozoic marvels.
Episode 7- End of an Era
As the sun rises on the plains of North America 65 million years ago, life begins to stir. The great inland sea that cut the continent in two has retreated. With the introduction of a continental climate, life has exploded. Dinosaurs have reached unprecedented sizes. One such giant is the hadrosaur Corythosaurus.
Corythosaurus was a large dinosaur. Adults measured an impressive 26 feet long and weighed over 2 tons, the weight of a rhino. Their large head crests were probably used for display. Corythosaurus was a social animal that lived in large herds for mutual protection.
A large herd of Corythosaurus’ are feeding on the open plains of western North America. Despite their large size, they are dwarfed by their larger cousin. A true titan, this dinosaur is over twice the weight of a Corythosaurus. This is Edmontosaurus.
One of the largest hadrosaurs on record, Edmontosaurus spanned a length of over 40 feet and weighed 5-6 tons! This means adults were every bit as big as a modern elephant. Their size alone was their greatest protection.
Mixed hadrosaur herds like this are not uncommon. The similarities between the two species allow them to coexist peacefully. With the exception of size and crests, these two kinds of dinosaurs are very similar. As they graze on the plains, they take in hundreds of pounds of food. Their thousands of teeth grind up the plant matter to a pulp. While the majority of the herd feeds, a lone sentry keeps watch. It’s an adult Edmontosaurus. He rears up on his back legs to get a better view of the area. With his head nearly 20 feet off the ground, he can see for miles around. A copse of trees sits about half a mile away, but other than that, there is no other cover for predators for miles around. He keeps his eyes on the copse of trees in case a predator may be stalking them from there. Sure enough, he notices movement. He catches a glimpse of a row of curved teeth and a large toe claw. Then, the unmistakable tail feathers of a Dromaeosaurus come into view.
Dromaeosaurus is a close relative of the more famous Velociraptor. At 6 feet long and no more than 100 pounds, it’s also about the same size. These pack hunters are lethal dinosaurs and are capable of bringing down prey that’s 10 times their size.
Once the sentry sees the raptor, he makes a loud trumpeting sound and alerts the herd. Both species of hadrosaur begin to stampede. Even the elephant sized Edmontosaurus’ are able to pound along at speeds in excess of 20 miles per hour. The pair of raptors that was stalking the herd races on to the open plains. The two brothers are young and reckless. They think they can take on a hadrosaur. The quickly catch up with the herd. The two raptors outflank and cut off a large female Edmontosaurus. As the rest of the herd continues to run, they leave the female and the raptors surrounded in a cloud of dust. The raptors can barely see their target now. The hadrosaur instinctively goes on the defensive. Finally, enough dust settles for the raptors to launch their attack. They each take up positions on the flanks of the hadrosaur and leap onto the sides of the dinosaur. The Edmontosaurus bucks in an attempt to shake off the attackers. But it’s no good. They dig in with their claws and can’t be easily shaken. Dromaeosaurus has a somewhat high bite force compared to most raptors it’s size and the brothers are able to drive their teeth deep into the flesh of the hadrosaur. While they bite, they also slash the herbivore with their long claws. But the hadrosaur is not about to go down without a fight. The Edmontosaurus performs an unexpected move. She rolls over onto her side. The Dromaeosaurus on her left flank has no time to react. Before he realizes what happened, he’s crushes underneath 5 tons of flesh. The remaining raptor leaps off the Edmontosaurus and reassess the situation. Should he attempt to finish off the hadrosaur, or retreat. He boldly decides to attack. The raptor leaps forward, claws extended. But the female knows exactly what to do. She turns and swings her massive tail with all her might. She hits the Dromaeosaurus square in the face. His skull is crushed and his body is sent flying over 100 yards away. Every bone in his body breaks due to the impact. The Edmontosaurus, although bleeding heavily, begins to move off in the direction of her herd in an effort to rejoin them.
Miles away, another mixed herd of dinosaurs feeds. One of the species is Edmontosaurus. The other, is very different. It’s not a hadrosaur, but a ceratopsian. One of the most famous dinosaurs ever discovered, the three horned face everyone knows as Triceratops.
Triceratops is possibly the largest species of ceratopsian yet discovered. Adults reach an impressive 25 feet in length and weigh close to 7 tons. Their 3 foot brow horns are their primary weapon. But the 5 foot wide frills protecting their necks are also very important. In a land crawling with predators, they need all the protection they can get.
Triceratops are social animals. They roam the land in large herds and are not above mingling with other species. They know the hadrosaurs alongside them are not dangerous. Like hadrosaurs, ceratopsians can also chew their food, although not quite as efficiently. The picnic area they have chosen is exposed and flanked by a thick line of trees. The perfect cover for predators. Watching the herd is the most notorious flesh eater of all time. 10 tons of hell with jaws to match, it’s name instills fear even today. Tyrannosaurus rex.
T-rex was the ultimate predator. When fully grown, this giant measured over 40-50 feet in length and tipped the scales at 7-10 or more tons. With a bite force of up to 18,000 pounds per square inch and teeth over 12 inches long, T-rex was a weapon of mass destruction. This animal was so incredibly strong that there was nothing, nothing, that could stop it if it decided it wanted to eat it.
This large male T-rex needs to make a kill if his offspring are to eat. Luckily for him, he doesn’t need to hunt alone. His mate is hunting alongside him. As they watch the dinosaurs, they begin to calculate a plan. But before they can launch an attack, a nearby pterosaur gives away their position. The hadrosaurs are the first to react. They charge off in a desperate attempt to escape. The Triceratops see this and close ranks. They form a circle around the youngsters and prepare for the attack. As they bellow and roar, they watch the trees for the unseen threat. Then the trees explode and the pair of killers charge forward. They stop just short of the wall of horns and frills. They roar loudly at the ceratopsians. As the two old enemies face off, the male notices something. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a young bull breaking ranks and running. He immediately abandons the rest of the herd and takes off after the Triceratops. His mate sees this and charges after him. They easily overtake the fleeing Triceratops. The male lunges forward and grabs the Triceratops by the back right leg. He pulls the bull down and plants his foot on top of it to keep it from running. His mate catches up and joins in. She leans in and grabs the struggling Triceratops by the back of the neck. She clamps down with full force and crushes his neck. The Triceratops stops struggling and goes limp. The rest of the herd begins to move off. The T-rex parents call for their young and before long, half a dozen T-rex chicks show up. Their parents tear open the carcass to make it easier for them to eat. As night begins to fall, the sky comes alive with shooting stars. It’s a sign of things to come.
Thousands of miles away, an asteroid over 6 miles across is hurtling towards Earth. As it enters the atmosphere, it lights up the globe. The T-rex family looks up to see the night sky illuminated. Miles away, the asteroid crashes into Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The shock wave can be felt as far away as Montana. Then, the world is set ablaze. Thousands of smaller meteors fall back down onto the Earth. Volcanoes across the globe erupt and fires spread everywhere. The T-rex family looks to their right to see a wall of fire bearing down on them. The parents pick up their offspring and flee in panic. Dinosaurs around the world will suffer a similar fate as the Earth is cooked.
An hour after impact, a cloud of dust begins to settle over the world. Storm clouds gather and lightning strikes. Rain begins to fall, but it’s not water. The acid rain begins to destroy what little is left. The sun won’t shine again for months.
First light reveals the devastation. 90 percent of the plants have been obliterated and 70 percent of the animals are gone. Most of the dinosaurs are now extinct. But life clings on. A small mammal emerges from the cover of a charred T-rex skeleton. The only dinosaur visible, a bird, soars overhead to remind us of the giants that are gone. The dinosaurs, were one of life’s great success stories. For 160 million years, these Mesozoic marvels roamed our world in huge numbers. In their time, they were the largest, brainiest, and most sophisticated animals ever. It’s unlikely that anything so huge, or captivating, will ever pass this way again. But for one race of animals, the mammals, the future belongs to them. One day their kind, will rule the world, and look back in awe, to a time, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth.
Well, that was the series finale. I hope you all enjoyed the series. I worked really hard on it. Now, with Mesozoic Marvels over, production will begin on The Fight To Survive: Synca. Until then, enjoy the forums and never forget the Mesozoic Marvels.
Acro Rex
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 2:57 PMthat was awesome :) i read all of them, but only recently got my account running. Can't wait for more from you!
Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:00 PMThanks man. Glad you liked it. This is my personal favorite by far.
DinoSteve93
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:00 PMGreat finale for the series. Can't wait to see how it'll look as documentary ;)
Proud founder of the site Theropods Wiki! www.theropods.wikia.com
Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:03 PMSame here.
I wasn't sure if I should announce that or not, but I guess it's out there. DinoSteve and I plan on combining my knowledge/Mesozoic Marvels and his skills with creating computer models of dinosaurs to create a documentary version of Mesozoic Marvels.
UCMP 118742
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:13 PMI'm always a little sad when a series ends, especially one as awesome as this one. I'm really looking forward to TFTS: Synca
Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe in. -Brom-
Acro Rex
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:15 PMthat's something i'm gonna look forward to! When does the production start on that?
Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:17 PMThanks UCMP. Glad you liked it.
Within the next few days. I'll start posting once I'm about halfway through the story.
Acro, are familiar with the first two Fight To Survives? If not, I can provide you with a copy of each so you can get up to speed.
Acro Rex
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:25 PMno, but i would like to read them :)
Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:30 PMI just sent you a PM regarding the stories ;)
Lord Vader
MemberTyrannosaurus RexFeb-17-2014 3:48 PMGreat job, and a great way to end a great series. Notice how EVERY series that does dinosaurs, ends with the T-Rex episode AND the end of the dinosaurs.
Jack of all trades. Master of none
Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 3:51 PMGuess it's just that classic and traditional, haha. Happy to see that you enjoyed it.
Primal King
MemberCompsognathusFeb-17-2014 9:17 PMfantastic end to a great story. Look forward to your docu. The only thing I dislike is that every dino story including T. rex has the asteroid, I just wish there was one with a T. rex that was around before that, they did come around 15 million yrs before the rock came. Lol. But great story, and sorry Ive been inactive, I have been writing all the stories and fights
"If you can't see it... It's already too late."
-Jurassic Apocalypse (by Paden)
Elite Raptor 007
MemberCompsognathusFeb-18-2014 12:35 AMGreat One ! I love it, this By Far My favourite Series.
Rex Fan 684
MemberCompsognathusFeb-18-2014 8:03 AMThanks guys.
And Primal, I understand where you're coming from. But the extinction was just too classic for me to pass up. The Fight To Survive was about a T-rex and it didn't end in extinction though ;)
Elite Raptor 007
MemberCompsognathusFeb-20-2014 3:12 AMRexFan, Won't you posted the Special Episodes, i Suggest :
" Southern Menace "
It's Around 100 MYA At S.America, The Place Filled with Giants like Argentinosaurus And Been Terrorized By Giganotosaurus and Megaraptors
" African Slayer "
it's Around 120 MYA In Africa Where Giats like Suchomimus And Spinosaurus Compete with Sarcosuchus For Abundant Of Prey