Ep 6. The Great Survivors

In “Planet Dinosaur” season 1 episode 6, entitled “The Great Survivors,” viewers are taken on a journey through time to discover some of the most resilient and adaptable creatures to have ever roamed the Earth. The episode focuses on the creatures that managed to thrive and survive through some of the most challenging periods in history.

The episode begins 200 million years in the past, during the Late Jurassic period, where the first creature introduced is the Stegosaurus, a dinosaur known for its iconic plates along its back. Despite its large size and heavy armor, the Stegosaurus wasn’t an herbivore that was brushed aside by the bigger predators of its time. It was surprisingly agile and had a powerful weapon in the form of its spiked tail, which it could use to fend off attackers. Viewers learn that this resourceful dinosaur was a survivor due to its adaptability and cunning. It would travel in herds and use its excellent hearing and sense of smell to avoid danger and stay one step ahead of its predators.

The episode also introduces viewers to the Coelophysis, a small carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, around 220 million years ago. Despite its small size, the Coelophysis was a skilled hunter that had a particular advantage when it came to food – it could survive on a diet of just about anything, from mammals to insects. This flexibility and versatility allowed the Coelophysis to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and continue to thrive even when other dinosaurs were dying off.

As the episode progresses, viewers are taken through various periods of time to discover more of these great survivors, including the Dilophosaurus and the Allosaurus from the Jurassic period and the Tyrannosaurus, Velociraptor, and Triceratops from the Cretaceous period.

The Dilophosaurus, with its striking double crest, was a fast and agile predator that was able to adapt to different hunting strategies depending on the prey it was targeting. Meanwhile, the large and fearsome Allosaurus was dominant during the late Jurassic period, thanks to its size and strength. The Allosaurus was also known for its clever hunting tactics, which included surrounding herds of Diplodocus and picking off members one by one.

Moving on to the Cretaceous period, viewers are introduced to some of the most iconic prehistoric creatures of all time – the Tyrannosaurus, the Velociraptor, and the Triceratops.

The Tyrannosaurus, also known as the T-Rex, is one of the most famous dinosaurs in history and was the apex predator of its time. With its massive size, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth, this dinosaur could take down just about any other creature in its path. Interestingly, scientists believe that the T-Rex may have been a scavenger as well as a hunter, which would have helped it survive during times when food was scarce.

The Velociraptor, which was much smaller than the T-Rex, was notorious for its incredible agility. This nimble predator could make quick turns and sudden movements, allowing it to outmaneuver larger prey. Additionally, the Velociraptor was a highly social animal that traveled in packs, which gave it a considerable advantage when it came to taking down larger prey.

Finally, the episode ends with a focus on the Triceratops, a large herbivore that was equipped with three large horns and a protective frill on its head. The Triceratops was an incredibly adaptable creature that was able to eat a wide range of plants, and its tough armor made it almost impervious to attack. Despite its size and strength, the Triceratops was also vulnerable to environmental changes, which contributed to its eventual extinction.

Overall, “Planet Dinosaur” season 1 episode 6 is a fascinating journey through prehistory that sheds light on some of the most resilient and adaptable creatures of all time. Through vivid animations, expert analysis, and stunning visuals, viewers are taken on a journey through time to discover how these creatures managed to thrive and survive against all odds.