Clash of the Dinosaurs: Difference between revisions
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* There was no evidence to support that Quetzalcoatlus could see in ultraviolet (or that dinosaurs urinated). <ref name="wedel" /> |
* There was no evidence to support that Quetzalcoatlus could see in ultraviolet (or that dinosaurs urinated). <ref name="wedel" /> |
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*There is no evidence that dissolving acid in a sauropods gut works. Acid is only good for dissolving calcium structures such as bones and cartilage. Some carnivorous dinosaurs did swallow bones such as [[Tyrannosaurus]] easily would have and even smaller ones that ate small animals whole. These meat eaters needed strong acid. Sauropods like [[Sauroposeidon]] however relied on large bacteria colonies in their multiple cecae to digest plant matter. Cellulose does not dissolve easily in acid. |
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==Quote-mining controversy== |
==Quote-mining controversy== |
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Revision as of 23:59, 10 January 2012
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| Clash of the Dinosaurs | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Documentary |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Richard Dale, Bill Howard |
| Producer | Tim Goodchild |
| Original release | |
| Network | Discovery Communications |
| Release | December 13, 2009 |
Clash of the Dinosaurs is a four-part television mini-series produced by Dangerous LTD for Discovery Channel. The show premiered on December 13, 2009[citation needed] with a double-episode.
Featured genera
- Ankylosaurus
- Deinonychus
- Parasaurolophus
- Quetzalcoatlus (not actually a dinosaur, but a pterosaur)
- Sauroposeidon
- Triceratops
- Tyrannosaurus
Episodes
Extreme Survivors
In the first episode the survival of the dinosaurs throughout the Mesozoic is discussed.
Perfect Predators
This episode tells how predators such as Tyrannosaurus, Deinonychus and Quetzalcoatlus caught their prey.
The Defenders
The defenses used by Sauroposeidon, Parasaurolophus, Ankylosaurus and Triceratops against predators are featured here.
Generations
In this final episode, the dinosaurs' reproduction habits and evolution into birds is discussed.
Errors
- Just two Deinonychus are shown taking on Sauroposeidon, a dinosaur much bigger than themselves. Two Deinonychus would have never done such a thing, and even if they did, the Sauroposeidon would have "pulped them", as Mathew Wedel puts it.[1]
- There is no evidence of Parasaurolophus using ultrasound as defense, and it is unlikely that this was acoustically possible.[1]
- There was no evidence to support that Quetzalcoatlus could see in ultraviolet (or that dinosaurs urinated). [1]
- There is no evidence that dissolving acid in a sauropods gut works. Acid is only good for dissolving calcium structures such as bones and cartilage. Some carnivorous dinosaurs did swallow bones such as Tyrannosaurus easily would have and even smaller ones that ate small animals whole. These meat eaters needed strong acid. Sauropods like Sauroposeidon however relied on large bacteria colonies in their multiple cecae to digest plant matter. Cellulose does not dissolve easily in acid.
Quote-mining controversy
After the series aired, paleontologist Mathew Wedel (who was interviewed for the series) strongly criticized the program, as he had been quote-mined. He was talking about the glycogen body of sauropods, mentioning the invalid theory that it served as a second brain and that its purpose is still uncertain. However, in the actual program, most of what he said had been removed, making it look like he supported the theory that it served as a second brain.[1] After coming in contact with the show's creators, the scene was removed from future broadcasts as well as DVD and Blu-ray releases.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d Wedel, Mathew (15 December 2009). "Lies, damned lies, and Clash of the Dinosaurs". Sauropod Vertebra Picture of the Week. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ^ Wedel, Mathew (17 December 2009). "Clash of the Dinosaurs: The Discovery Channel steps up". Sauropod Vertebra Picture of the Week. Retrieved 3 December 2011.