AmenRa
Thermonuclear Omnipotency
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2001
- Posts
- 2,502
Journal Entry - April 17
The island's ecosystem seems to be stabilized. I find this remarkable given the particular circumstances which have brought unique species to an otherwise unremarkable section of the equatorial latitudes. What is especially intriguing is how the species have adapted simply out of necessity, which is of course the fundamental drive behind all evolutionary adaptation. Evolution is, in itself, adaption. And, thus the species here have evolved. Even though they have been extinct for (some) more than 65 million years they have evolved.
I have been here for exactly 5 weeks and 4 days. In that time I have updated the scientific and physiological categorizations of each dinosaur. I have made several discoveries that have confirmed some theories and put others to bed. For example, I have definitely confirmed Dr. Grant's experiences with velociraptor.
The raptors live in separate packs and mostly within the interior of the island with the other carnivores. I have noted, however, that with the exception of procompsagnathus, velociraptor is the only other species that wanders onto the coastal area of Isla Sorna. There is one that I have seen near my compound. More on that one in a minute.
My studies of velociraptor have proved Grant's findings that the animals hunt in packs. They are lead by an alpha, but in one pack I have seen the alpha is a female, and in the other two the alphas are male. The female is the one who has come within a few meters of the compound and mostly during the early morning. She is also the one who has approached within a few meters of me in clearings and the high hides. Her pack mates never come near and seem to stay only within sight of her. I have yet to determine her intentions, but I do not feel threatened by her. I have observed this one, I have named her Judith, with her pack during meals. At first she gave me great interest, and once she approached the high hide with threatening yelps and hisses. Lately, though, she has not approached or attempted to warn me away during my observations of her and her pack feeding. She gives a casual head raise, a sniff in my direction, and a few moments of eye contact, then resumes her feed. For some reason she does not seem to think of me as prey.
There are two families of T. rex in the interior of the island. I have cataloged them according to Grant and Dr. Malcolm's descriptions. Alpha Group has a large male and female and a juvenile. Beta Group consists of a large male and female and two younglings who appear no more than into their first year. The younglings are just now shedding their infant plumage.
Skirting the low areas around the interior of the island on the river area and south onto the coast are found species of triceratops, stegosaurus, hadrosaurus, and brachiosaurus. It is interesting to note the carnivores, especially T. rex, will venture out into these areas away from the island interior to hunt the herbivores. I have heard a battle between triceratops and T. rex, but when I attempted to drive to the area I was unable to locate nothing but trampled foliage and blood. Whomever the winner was left and did not return. The loser must have gone back to their den to tend their wounds or pass on into extinction.
I have observed a herd of brachiosaurs feeding near the river and in the main area of the freshwater swamp on the island's western side. They seem to be especially fond of the water plants that grow in the pond areas of the swamp. I have seen several of them with the long necks and heads submerged for extended periods to come up with a mouthful of the plants. Hadrosaurus does the same thing. I do not know what type of plant they are eating from the muddy bottom.
InGen had left quite a mess on Isla Sorna. I am only now finding time to clean and repair what is left of the compound. The solar batteries charge well during the day and provide ample power to run the living and dining quarters. The supply boat comes once a week and provides fresh food, gasoline for the Jeep, and other supplies such as ammunition and clothes. It is fortunate I have not had to use my firearms. Yet.
It was Hammond's wish that someone spend as much time as possible and learn as much as could be obtained about the ecostructure on this island. I am indeed fortunate that I was chosen. Given my background in biology and paleontology, I can see why I was picked. I am sure, too, that my training in the military had something to do with it as well. While I am not the young man I once was, I still very much can take care of myself.
Speaking of, I learned recently that I will be joined by a small team of scientists who will live here and assist me with my research. I only hope they are as enthusiastic about living among prehistoric animals as I am. It will be a pity if these animals are wasted on the entertainment of mankind instead of its education.
Sleep is coming as I write. I can hear the calling of a brachiosaur off in the distance. Her song is soothing and tells me tomorrow will be a good day.
-Bruce Parker, Ph. D.
The island's ecosystem seems to be stabilized. I find this remarkable given the particular circumstances which have brought unique species to an otherwise unremarkable section of the equatorial latitudes. What is especially intriguing is how the species have adapted simply out of necessity, which is of course the fundamental drive behind all evolutionary adaptation. Evolution is, in itself, adaption. And, thus the species here have evolved. Even though they have been extinct for (some) more than 65 million years they have evolved.
I have been here for exactly 5 weeks and 4 days. In that time I have updated the scientific and physiological categorizations of each dinosaur. I have made several discoveries that have confirmed some theories and put others to bed. For example, I have definitely confirmed Dr. Grant's experiences with velociraptor.
The raptors live in separate packs and mostly within the interior of the island with the other carnivores. I have noted, however, that with the exception of procompsagnathus, velociraptor is the only other species that wanders onto the coastal area of Isla Sorna. There is one that I have seen near my compound. More on that one in a minute.
My studies of velociraptor have proved Grant's findings that the animals hunt in packs. They are lead by an alpha, but in one pack I have seen the alpha is a female, and in the other two the alphas are male. The female is the one who has come within a few meters of the compound and mostly during the early morning. She is also the one who has approached within a few meters of me in clearings and the high hides. Her pack mates never come near and seem to stay only within sight of her. I have yet to determine her intentions, but I do not feel threatened by her. I have observed this one, I have named her Judith, with her pack during meals. At first she gave me great interest, and once she approached the high hide with threatening yelps and hisses. Lately, though, she has not approached or attempted to warn me away during my observations of her and her pack feeding. She gives a casual head raise, a sniff in my direction, and a few moments of eye contact, then resumes her feed. For some reason she does not seem to think of me as prey.
There are two families of T. rex in the interior of the island. I have cataloged them according to Grant and Dr. Malcolm's descriptions. Alpha Group has a large male and female and a juvenile. Beta Group consists of a large male and female and two younglings who appear no more than into their first year. The younglings are just now shedding their infant plumage.
Skirting the low areas around the interior of the island on the river area and south onto the coast are found species of triceratops, stegosaurus, hadrosaurus, and brachiosaurus. It is interesting to note the carnivores, especially T. rex, will venture out into these areas away from the island interior to hunt the herbivores. I have heard a battle between triceratops and T. rex, but when I attempted to drive to the area I was unable to locate nothing but trampled foliage and blood. Whomever the winner was left and did not return. The loser must have gone back to their den to tend their wounds or pass on into extinction.
I have observed a herd of brachiosaurs feeding near the river and in the main area of the freshwater swamp on the island's western side. They seem to be especially fond of the water plants that grow in the pond areas of the swamp. I have seen several of them with the long necks and heads submerged for extended periods to come up with a mouthful of the plants. Hadrosaurus does the same thing. I do not know what type of plant they are eating from the muddy bottom.
InGen had left quite a mess on Isla Sorna. I am only now finding time to clean and repair what is left of the compound. The solar batteries charge well during the day and provide ample power to run the living and dining quarters. The supply boat comes once a week and provides fresh food, gasoline for the Jeep, and other supplies such as ammunition and clothes. It is fortunate I have not had to use my firearms. Yet.
It was Hammond's wish that someone spend as much time as possible and learn as much as could be obtained about the ecostructure on this island. I am indeed fortunate that I was chosen. Given my background in biology and paleontology, I can see why I was picked. I am sure, too, that my training in the military had something to do with it as well. While I am not the young man I once was, I still very much can take care of myself.
Speaking of, I learned recently that I will be joined by a small team of scientists who will live here and assist me with my research. I only hope they are as enthusiastic about living among prehistoric animals as I am. It will be a pity if these animals are wasted on the entertainment of mankind instead of its education.
Sleep is coming as I write. I can hear the calling of a brachiosaur off in the distance. Her song is soothing and tells me tomorrow will be a good day.
-Bruce Parker, Ph. D.
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