Jurassic World Evolution 2

The pterosaur Maaradactylus has a wingspan of around 6m and is easy to recognise thanks to its unusual appearance – its jaws feature curved crests on both the upper and lower sections and contain rows of sharp teeth. Native to South America, the genus is named after the Brazilian legend Maara, a mystical woman who transformed into a monster with large teeth.

A genus of the Pliosauridae, the notorious Liopleurodon is one of the largest marine reptiles. Its name means ‘smooth-sided teeth’, and this fearsome apex predator patrolled the oceans of the Mid-Late Jurassic Period using its rows of sharp teeth and powerful jaws to prey on other giant reptiles of the period. Liopleurodon’s hunting efforts are aided by a strong sense of smell that allows it to locate its targets, while its large fins propel the reptile across seas at high speed.

The stegosaurian Kentrosaurus is an herbivorous dinosaur that can grow up to 4m in length and weigh over 700kg. Like many other stegosaurian dinosaurs, Kentrosaurus is well protected from predators, with armour plates that run the length of its back and a pair of spikes that jut out from its shoulders. It also has a long, spiked tail that helps it to fend off attackers.

Indoraptor is a hybrid dinosaur created from the DNA of numerous other genera including Velociraptor, Deinosuchus and the ferocious Indominus rex. Famed for its high intelligence and aggressive nature, Indoraptor is known as one of the most dangerous dinosaurs in existence, with incredible speed, strength and agility, excellent eyesight and the ability to camouflage itself ahead of ambushing its prey.

Indominus rex is unique in the dinosaur world, in that it is a ‘hybrid’ genus created by combining multiple existing genera, including Deinosuchus, Giganotosaurus, Carnotaurus, Velociraptor and the infamous Tyrannosaurus rex, as well as tree frogs and snakes. As such, Indominus rex is perhaps the most fearsome dinosaur of all, boasting Giganotosaurus’ size, Velociraptor’s intelligence and speed, Tyrannosaurus rex’s power and aggression, plus further traits from tree frogs and cuttlefish that allow it to hide its thermal signature.

Iguanodon is a genus of large, herbivorous ornithopod, weighing around 3.2 tonnes and growing up to 8m long. This dinosaur’s name translates to ‘iguana tooth’, as its teeth bear a strong resemblance to those of an iguana – broad and flat, to help them chew tough vegetation. Iguanodon’s hands feature large spikes on the thumbs, which help it to protect itself from predators.

Ichthyosaurus is a small marine reptile, measuring around 2m in length – far smaller than other genera of ichthyosaurs, which can grow up to 25m. Its paddle-like limbs and streamlined body allow it to move at great speed through water, catching its prey in its long, thin snout. Ichthyosaurus is a piscivore, with a diet consisting mostly of fish and squid.

At around 8.5m in length, Huayangosaurus resembles a smaller version of Stegosaurus, sharing the same distinctive back plates as its more renowned relative. Its name translates to ‘Huayang lizard’, in reference to the location of its discovery, the previous name of the Sichuan region of China. As well as the prominent armoured plates on its back, Huayangosaurus has a spiked tail that helps it to defend itself from predators.

Notable for its distinctive flat skull (its name translates to ‘even head’), Homalocephale is a small, herbivorous dinosaur that grows to around 2.3m in length and around 45kg in weight. This genus has excellent eyesight and long legs that help it to locate and escape predators, while its thick, flat skull and wide pelvis protect it from attack.

Herrerasaurus is a small theropod, measuring around 4.5m in length and 200kg in weight. It is one of the earliest known dinosaurs, dating back to the Late Triassic period. With a light frame that allow it to run very quickly and large, jagged teeth that help it to latch onto prey, Herrerasaurus feeds on smaller herbivores.