Blueback Parasaurolophus
"They're moving in herds, they do move in herds."
~Dr. Alan Grant
Species:
Parasaurolophus sp./walkeri?
Common Name:
Blueback Parasaurolophus
Family:
Hadrosauridae
Seen in:
• Jurassic Park (1993)
Vocalizations:
Description:
Parasaurolophus, meaning "near crested lizard," is a genus of hadrosaur native to North America during the Late Cretaceous. It coexisted with dinosaurs such as Styracosaurus and Euoplocephalus in the Dinosaur Park Formation. This stunning herbivore is known for its distinctive tube-like crest utilized for sound amplification. Parasaurolophus is perhaps the dinosaur with the most genetic strains currently documented.
This strain, the Blueback Parasaurolophus, was first seen in the 90s on Isla Nublar during Hammond's endorsement visit. It is unique in that it is the only breed that has been observed to utilize primarily quadrupedal locomotion—much like its fossil counterpart. Despite this, it has relatively short arms with large powerful legs. It has a long, thin tail and the curved neck of a swan. Its head is tipped with a duckbill, followed by a long and thin crest at the back.
The Blueback breed is named after its characteristic blue colored dorsal stripes that cut across their pear green bodies. These navy blue stripes run from their necks down to the tip of their tails. Their face and underbellies are a striking white color with a red streaking pattern branching through their sides. Their down-curved crests are black with subtle red hues.
This strain was seen first and only in 1993 on Isla Nublar. Little is known about this particular breed, beyond the fact that it was chosen for John Hammond’s Jurassic Park. Additionally, we do know that it shares the same basic traits as other Parasaurolophus—living in herds and gathering near other herbivorous species.
Size Estimates:
Male: Unknown
Female: 3.2m Tall 7.9m Long
Did you know?
The Blueback Parasaurolophus is currently the only known Parasaurolophus strain to either be a predominate or an obligate quadruped, unlike its sister breeds who are often seen in bipedal postures.
Habitat & Geographical Ranging:
This rare breed was very briefly seen on Isla Nublar in 1993. The tropical Costa Rican island was the first, last, and only place the Blueback Parasaurolophus has ever been documented. It is unclear if this breed was ever introduced into the wilds of Isla Sorna, or if they were reclaimed in the early 2000s for Jurassic World's construction.
In 1993, a small herd is seen drinking from a large waterbody within an open grassland where they presumably graze. This rolling landscape is surrounded by coniferous sub-tropical forest and is located in the southeastern portion of the island.
Individual Variation:
This breed lacks color variation and instead varies in patterning. The blue stripes on its back, similar to those of Zebras, can instead be replace with horizontal parallel stripes like those seen in other breeds. Some individuals had had a messy, mottled pattern instead, while others lacked the striping completely, only exhibiting banding on their tails.