Short Wave How Realistic Are Movie Dinosaurs?
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Jul 15, 2025 
Matt Lamanna, a dinosaur paleontologist at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, shares his lifelong passion for dinosaurs and critiques their accuracy in the Jurassic Park films. He discusses the latest movie, revealing how certain portrayals are more realistic than others. Listeners will be fascinated by insights into recent discoveries like Dreadnoughtus and a deeper understanding of dinosaurs' biological traits. Matt also balances scientific authenticity with Hollywood's dramatic flair, entertainingly unraveling the truth behind these ancient giants.
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Discovery of Dreadnoughtus Dinosaur
- Matt Lamanna found the dinosaur Dreadnoughtus in southern Patagonia by noticing his friends gathered around an uncovered fossil bone.
- They discovered an almost complete skeleton of a giant titanosaur on their first day.
Inaccuracy of T-Rex Vision Scene
- The first movie's depiction of T-Rex poor vision is scientifically inaccurate; T-Rex likely had excellent vision and smell.
- The movie made T-Rex seem inept, which distorts its true nature as a fearsome predator.
Dinosaurs Lived Pole to Pole
- Dinosaurs lived in diverse climates from the poles to the equator during the Mesozoic era.
- Fossils show they inhabited seasonal temperate zones with months of darkness, disproving the idea they only thrived in tropics.