About That Swimming Pyroraptor.

SasquaDash

So it was recently revealed that the Pyroraptor in Jurassic World: Dominion can swim, which of course has the paleo community loosing their minds. Many are having a meltdown, stating that the pyroraptor's ability to swim is "unrealistic" and that this is "proof that the series doesn't care about actual science", some even going as far as to claim that the pyroraptor breathing fire would be more "realistic" than it swimming (Yes, really). However is the pyroraptor swimming really that unrealistic?

The biggest argument I've seen against this, is the paleo community stating that it's a "feathered bird-like animal" so therefore it should act like a bird and not have the ability to swim.

Well...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8vaFl6J87s 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWVfOcq5PeM 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3QcD0X7q34 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiSMIcaUqbY 

If you compare the scene of the pyroraptor swimming, it actually dives and swims in a pretty similar (if not nearly identical) way to these birds.

Most people would argue that these birds have specific adaptations that would allow them to swim like that. However, not only does the pyroraptor have these adaptations, they were actually shown off during the first trailer. While we were all distracted by its feathers, a lot of us overlooked a crucial detail that was clearly shown.

The JW pyroraptor has webbed feet.

So, the pyroraptor does have the physical adaptations it would need in order to swim like how it does in the movie.

The other complaint that's been hurled at this idea, is the fact that there's currently no evidence to suggest that the real pyroraptor could swim, with some deeming the idea as "highly unlikely". But, is it though?

The bird-like dinosaur, halszkaraptor, is officially classified as a dromaeosaur (the same family as velociraptor and pyroraptor) and it is currently believed that it it could swim and dive in the same way that modern seabirds and waterfowl can.

So the idea of other dromaeosaurs swimming isn't completely far-fetched. Especially when you consider how little is currently known about pyroraptor's appearance and behavior. There's also fossil evidence which suggests that other types of theropod dinosaurs may have had the ability to swim as well.

So, is the pyroraptor swimming weird? Yes.

Is it unrealistic? Eh, not really...

It's funny how the paleo community demanded for the Jurassic World movies to show fully feathered raptors that act like modern birds. Well, we technically got that. They just took more inspiration from modern seabirds and waterfowl, rather than taking inspiration from birds of prey.

Plus, in a series that features giant, hyper intelligent, door opening velociraptors and venom spitting, frill-necked dilophosaurus, is a swimming pyroraptor even that strange?

SasquaDash

I also made this meme to sum up my thoughts on this:

https://www.deviantart.com/sasquadash/art/Unrealistic-Behavior-914495008 

SasquaDash

Oops, I made a typo in the first sentence, I accidentally put "They're" instead of "Their"... 

EDIT: The typo has been fixed, Thank You Chris!

Djdndnejwnwn

SasquaDash

Theres only one thing i can really think of that could somewhat discredit your argument, is that most of the birds that you list are adapted to more aqautic lifestyles. Note the build and beak shapes as a reference. And another thing is many animals can swim yes, but are not adapted to it so only swim when needed or enjoyment.

Most the animals that you list can swim, but do not hunt underwater. The differnece is the pyroraptor seems to be trying to hunt from the water. Which is something it wouldnt be able to do. 

It doesnt have a hydrodynamic build, nor like the birds that do swim and hunt underwater, have a spearing beak or bottomfeeding duck bill. And most of the non avian animals you describe keep theyre heads above the water while you swim.

Its the just the behavior makes no sense

I mean its not impossible. But like would a raptor dive under ice to attack a person? Because the water is freezing and it might not escape.

But hey! Welcome to Jurassic Park!

SasquaDash

HinikunaGoji

Some of the non avian animals that were brought up in the meme I made actually do hunt in water.

Bears swim and hunt fish all the time.

Jaguars will actually dive into water to hunt fish and caiman.

The wolf image I used was of a breed of "coastal wolf" which live on the pacific coast of Canada. They spend a lot of time swimming and primarily hunt fish and seals. They're actually genetically distinct from regular gray wolves.

As far as Pyroraptor being able to swim, there isn't enough evidence to prove or disprove it. Halszkaraptor is part of the same family as Pyroraptor (both being types of dromaeosaur), and it is thought to have been able to swim and dive, so it's possible that other dromaeosaurs could as well. The JW Pyroraptor is genetically altered and does have adaptations that allow it to swim.

As far as divining in cold water. The pyroraptor seen in the movie was specifically placed in a cold snowy environment, which indicates that it was designed and bred to withstand freezing temperatures, so it's feathers and possible fat act as insulation for it.   

There's definitely arguments you can make against the idea of a swimming pyroraptor. I was actually pretty iffy about it at first. My point was that the idea isn't really as crazy or unrealistic as some people are claiming, and it's definitely not getting upset over (or, in the case of some people in the paleo community, throwing juvenile tantrums)

Djdndnejwnwn

SasquaDash

First of all your counterargument was amazing. Literally dismantled my argument very well.

I'm not convinced that its a normal behavior though but yeah. The paleo community is full of some

people. 

Theres a rant about feathered dinosaurs that the paleo community got youtube to mark as inappropriate, even though it's more kid friendly than most things.

The anger of thousands descends upon you when you make a wrong step.

Djdndnejwnwn

Also did Collin Fix the broken wrists on Pyro? I noticed the same with Giga?

Are people going through.. INNACURACY WITHDRAWLS??

SasquaDash

HinikunaGoji

Thank You :)

As for the Pyro's wrists, they actually are in the right position, Steve Brusatte mentioned that they fixed the wrists for some of the theropod dinosaurs, the Giga, Pyroraptor, Allosaurus, Therizinosaurus and Atrociraptors have properly position wrists. I even noticed that there were some shots in the Prologue where it looked like Rexy's wrists were position correctly. They've definitely made more progress with dinosaur accuracy than the previous movies (even if it's still not 100% perfect). 

Chris

You bring up good points to support why this scene wasn't absolutely odd, but I will say with everything else jammed into this film, I don't think a Raptor swimming in ice water is necessary at all. Also - people falling into ice water and not dying relatively soon afterwards always makes me roll my eyes in movies. The threat of falling in ice is fine but actually doing so sends the body into an intense state of shock. Definitely wouldn't be able to out swim, or fight a Raptor underwater.

I get Fast and Furious vibes from JW Dominion with the latest trailer... I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Djdndnejwnwn

The wrists thing has really made me more excited than i was before, idk why its just cool.