Dilophosaurus/Novels

Movies

Novels

Games

Toys

Cards

Books

Comics

Theme Parks

The dinosaur's picture in a special edition novel.
Name meaning	"Two/Double-crest/ridge/crested/ridged lizard" or "Lizard with two/double crests/ridges"
Code name	“Dilo”
Diet	Carnivore
Height	10 feet (approx. 3 meters)
Range	Isla Nublar (Formerly)
Birth type	Egg
Novel appearances	Jurassic Park

Dilophosaurus was one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs of the Early Jurassic Period. Dilophosaurus gets its name from the two thin crests of bone on the top of its head. These were probably used as a display for courtship purposes. Dilophosaurus was cloned for Jurassic Park, where it was discovered that the dinosaur was venomous.

Characteristics

Contrary to its movie counterpart, the cloned Dilophosaurus is a 10 foot tall carnivore, with a heavy tail, strong hind limbs, and a long neck. Its crests make a V shape above the animal's head. The crests are red and have black stripes, like a parrot or toucan, with one sex (maybe male) having darker crests than the other. Its body is covered with yellow and black spots, like a leopard, with a light green belly. It has a hooting that sounds like an owl. The Dilophosaurus clones are able to spit venom at a range of 15 meters (50 feet). Also, one gender was smaller than the other. Their toxin contained 7 different enzymes.

Because no frog DNA was used to clone the Dilophosaurus, they don't reproduce in the first novel. However, Grant sees a couple of Dilophosaurus (both male and female) at the river, which were performing a mating ritual.

History

Creation

Dilophosaurus was created in a laboratory located in a village owned by InGen on Isla Sorna for Jurassic Park. Seven individuals with the Version 4.3 were transported to Isla Nublar as attractions, where the park is located. They reside in the Carnivore Country alongside two Tyrannosaurus rex, most likely residing in their own separate enclosures to avoid confrontation.

After spitting at a handler, Jurassic Park staff did an investigation on their toxic spit. They also tried to remove the poison sacks, but it proved little success because they could not find them nor did they know where they were placed without doing an autopsy, which park staff wouldn't allow due to the costs of creating new dinosaurs.

InGen Incident

A Dilophosaurus is seen during the Park Drive near the river, drinking from it.

When Dennis Nedry is on his way to smuggle Dinosaur embryos out of the park, he has taken a wrong turn and instead of the sea he has reached the river (near the Dilophosaurus territory). When Nedry tries to get back to his car he hears a hooting noise. Then he is confronted by the large and dangerous Dilophosaurus. Dennis is first blinded, then his gut is ripped open, and finally the creature puts his jaws around his head. Thanks to its sabotage, the Dilophosaurus were now able to leave their enclosure.

Nedry's body is later found by Muldoon and Gennaro, with Muldoon remarking "They blinded him, then ripped him down the middle. Not a nice way to go. Maybe there's justice in this world after all."

After Alan Grant returns to the raft from the Jungle River Cruise with Tim and Lex Murphy, he heard the hooting of a pair of Dilophosaurus that are drinking close to them. The dinosaurs were performing a mating ritual, enabling Grant and the kids to sneak away without notice.

Three Dilophosaurus have died during the park incident. They might have been hunted and killed by the raptors or the Tyrannosaurus after they escaped. All the Dilophosaurus are killed during the Costa Rica Napalm Bombing.

1995 Isla Sorna Expedition

It is unknown if any Dilophosaurus resided on Isla Sorna during the events of The Lost World or if InGen only cloned seven of them. It may have become extinct due to its lack of reproduction, or is nesting in a different region of the island. It is also possible that they lived in the swamp, which the team never went into.