Changes: Time of the Titans

Time of the Titans
	General information
Series	Walking with Dinosaurs
Episode number	2
Featured creatures	A Diplodocus creche
	Broadcast information
Original airdate	11 October 1999
	Chronological information
Previous episode; New Blood	Following episode; Cruel Sea

Revision as of 01:18, 12 February 2022

Time of the Titans - broadcast in North America as Jurassic Giants - is the second episode of Walking with Dinosaurs.

Full synopsis

This episode follows the life of a female Diplodocus, beginning at the moment when her mother lays a clutch of eggs at the edge of a conifer forest. Months later, some of the eggs hatch; the young sauropods are preyed upon by Ornitholestes. After hatching, the hatchlings retreat to the safety of the denser trees. They face many dangers as they grow, including predation by Ornitholestes and Allosaurus. While fending off a pair of Allosaurus, a Stegosaurus also accidentally kills one of the hatchlings while swinging its tail. Elsewhere, adult herds of Diplodocus are shown using their massive weight to topple trees in order to reach cycad leaves. Each Diplodocus hosts a small mobile habitat of damselflies, Anurognathus, and dung beetles. After some time, the creche of Diplodocus have grown into subadults. Nearly all are killed by a huge forest fire; only three survivors emerge onto the open plains, including the young female. They encounter several Brachiosaurus before two reach safety to a herd of adult Diplodocus. Several years later, the female mates, and is attacked by a bull Allosaurus. She is saved when another Diplodocus strikes the Allosaurus with its tail. She rejoins the herd, albeit with deep wounds on her side. The closing narration notes that the sauropods will only get larger, becoming the largest animals ever to walk the Earth.

In the credits it is stated that the sauropods eventually went into decline with their prairies becoming flooded by rising sea levels, resulting in vast inland seas and that the next episode would explore the giant marine reptiles that patrolled them.

Creatures

152 Million Years Ago (Colorado, USA)

Diplodocus
Anurognathus
Dryosaurus (unidentified)
Ornitholestes (first appearance)
Stegosaurus
Allosaurus (first appearance)
Brachiosaurus (first appearance)
Damselfly (live acted, first appearance)
Dung Beetles (live acted, first appearance)

Alternate Versions

In a rerelease, the following scenes are cut:
- Scene with the mother Diplodocus laying her eggs.
- The introduction to the sauropodlets' forest refuge.
- The scenes that feature the damselflies, the Anurognathus, and the dung beetles.
- The scene where the crèche encounters Diplodocus skeleton.
- The scene where the Diplodocus flattens the forest is shortened.
- The forest fire scene.

Trivia

This episode features the first feathered animal in the series - Ornitholestes.`
In the original version there were some lines that were removed in the later version. They can be heard on the 2001 American VHS re-release however.

Gallery

Promotional Images

Errors

Diplodocus could never reach adulthood in only a decade. The minimum amount of time it would take for Diplodocus to reach adulthood would be twenty to forty years.
Ornitholestes never had a nasal crest.
Ornitholestes would have had sickle claws on each of its retractable second toes, similar to a dromaeosaurid. It would have also been feathered, which the companion book depicts.
Anurognathus lived in Germany, not North America. They were microbat-like insectivores, with no evidence suggesting that they lived a lifestyle similar to modern day oxpeckers. Its anatomy is also very inconsistent with the real animal, with a typically elongated neck, deep skull and small wings
Allosaurus's anatomy is inconsistent with the real animal, especially concerning the short skull which was a common portrayal at the time due to its incorrect reconstruction.
The way the Diplodocus lays its eggs in the episode was based on modern turtles, which, like the sauropod in the episode, have ovipositors. But ever since the episode came out, there has been debate about how sauropods laid their eggs without breaking them. It’s now likely that sauropods, including large ones, laid flat on the ground with the cloaca close to the hole in the ground that is being used as a nest.
Brachiosaurus is stated to weigh 70 tons, and is said to be the largest land animal that has ever existed. However, the largest Brachiosaurus specimen is estimated at 37 tons, with later sauropods such as Argentinosaurus weighing even more. The raised bump on the head is somewhat thin. In reality, the bump had more soft tissue around it. The legs and torso of Brachiosaurus were deeper and taller, and its tail would have been shorter and held higher.
Contrary to what is said at the end of the episode (“With their passing, life would never again be this large.”), sauropods persisted into the Cretaceous period, flourishing across the globe during the early cretaceous however becoming increasing rare across the globe during the late cretaceous with the exception of South America. Regardless of sauropods, Modern day cetaceans prove that life has indeed reached such sizes again.
The plates of Stegosaurus were covered in a horny sheath rather than skin, so it could not intimidate predators like Allosaurus by flushing blood into them, as evidenced by the preserved integument impressions of the closely related stegosaurid Hesperosaurus.
Allosaurus is said to be the top predator of its age. In reality, the top predator of the Morrison Formation at this time was the megalosaurid Torvosaurus, which was larger and heavier than Allosaurus, however not nearly as common.

Broadcast

Original airdate

11 October 1999 20.30 BBC One

Repeats

12 October 1999 18.30 BBC Choice
16 October 1999 20.00 BBC Choice
17 October 1999 16.45 BBC One
17 October 1999 19.30 BBC Choice
4 December 1999 7.30 BBC Knowledge
5 August 2000 20.05 BBC One
15 January 2003 19.00 BBC Four
24 February 2004 1.10 BBC One
14 October 2006 19.45 BBC Three

http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?order=asc&media=tv&adv=1&yf=1999&q=walking+with+dinosaurs#search

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Infobox episode
-|image = TimeOfTheTitans.jpg
+|image = TimeOfTheTitans.png
 |series = ''[[Walking with Dinosaurs]]''
 |no. = 2
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 |next = ''[[Cruel Sea]]''
 }}'''''Time of the Titans''''' - broadcast in North America as '''''Jurassic Giants''''' - is the second episode of ''[[Walking with Dinosaurs]]''.
-==Summary==
-This episode follows the diverse [[Jurassic]] megafauna in [[North America]] 152 million years ago. The episode mainly concentrates on the lives of a adolescent female ''[[Diplodocus]]'' and her constant fight for survival against predators and even her own habitat after hatching. The episode also follows an adult herd of ''Diplodocus'' and their ceaseless search for food. This episode showcases some of the other late Jurassic fauna including the armored and dim-witted ''[[Stegosaurus]]'', the egg-thieving ''[[Ornitholestes]]'', and 'the [[lion]]s of the Jurassic', ''[[Allosaurus]]''.
 ==Full synopsis==
+[[File:WWD Anurognathus.jpg|thumb|Two ''Anurognathus''.]]
-The episode begins in the late [[Jurassic]] period with a mother ''[[Diplodocus]]'' laying her eggs into a deep trench. Each individual egg is the size of a football. After laying her eggs, she carefully buries them and leaves them to their fate. She then slowly moved out of the forest she was in to rejoin her herd in the fern plains.
+This episode follows the life of a female ''Diplodocus'', beginning at the moment when her mother lays a clutch of eggs at the edge of a conifer forest. Months later, some of the eggs hatch; the young sauropods are preyed upon by ''Ornitholestes''. After hatching, the hatchlings retreat to the safety of the denser trees. They face many dangers as they grow, including predation by ''Ornitholestes'' and ''Allosaurus''. While fending off a pair of ''Allosaurus'', a ''Stegosaurus'' also accidentally kills one of the hatchlings while swinging its tail. Elsewhere, adult herds of ''Diplodocus'' are shown using their massive weight to topple trees in order to reach cycad leaves. Each ''Diplodocus'' hosts a small mobile habitat of damselflies, ''Anurognathus'', and dung beetles. After some time, the creche of ''Diplodocus'' have grown into subadults. Nearly all are killed by a huge forest fire; only three survivors emerge onto the open plains, including the young female. They encounter several ''Brachiosaurus'' before two reach safety to a herd of adult ''Diplodocus''. Several years later, the female mates, and is attacked by a bull ''Allosaurus''. She is saved when another ''Diplodocus'' strikes the ''Allosaurus'' with its tail. She rejoins the herd, albeit with deep wounds on her side. The closing narration notes that the sauropods will only get larger, becoming the largest animals ever to walk the Earth.
+In the credits it is stated that the sauropods eventually went into decline with their prairies becoming flooded by rising sea levels, resulting in vast inland seas and that the next episode would explore the giant marine reptiles that patrolled them.
-Months later, we return to the hatching site. However, some of the eggs have been discovered by an ''[[Ornitholestes]]'' - an egg thief. Then, a little female ''Diplodocus'' emerges from the soil trying to escape. She is caught within the sight of the ''Ornitholestes'' but he is too busy eating to chase more ''Diplodocus''. While her siblings escape, the little female rests but then gets up and joins them. After scurrying deeper in the forest, the sauropodlets find safety, The ''Diplodocus'' creche then starts feeding on the tender ferns between the tree trunks of the forest. However, an ''Ornitholestes'' appears. The sauropodlets crouch and remain motionless while the predator passes by. Their plan had worked.
-It then cuts to the open prairies where we see two ''[[Stegosaurus]]'' and the massive herd of ''Diplodocus''. When the herd begins to feed, they attract insects and insect hunters like damselflies. They even attract ''[[Anurognathus]]'' - a genus of pterosaur which feed on insects. The pterosaurs fight, feed and breed on the ''Diplodocus''. When the ''Diplodocus'' defecate, they attract dung beetles. The ''Diplodocus'' herd then moves on, carrying its own unique habitat with them.
-A year later, the ''Diplodocus'' creche is seen feeding within a canyon which connects to the prairies. Due to that, a male ''Stegosaurus'' appears and starts drinking from a tiny stream. While the herbivores feed, a pair of large ''[[Allosaurus]]'' stalk the canyon. When the creche catches sight of the predators, they run. However, an ''Allosaurus'' managed to kill one of the ''Diplodocus''. The small brained ''Stegosaurus'' is startled by the ''Diplodocus'' creche and accidentally kills another one of the sauropodlets. The other ''Allosaurus'' confronts the ''Stegosaurus'' but it is intimidated by the ''Stegosaurus''' frightening display of color. The ''Allosaurus'' then backs down and joins the other ''Allosaurus'' to feed on the ''Diplodocus'' corpse. The remaining ''Diplodocus'' return to the forest and begin feeding again. Nearby, the little female finds the skeleton of an adult ''Diplodocus''. The creche then goes deeper into the forest.
-It then cuts to the adult herd clearing the edge of the forest. They are doing this so that they can feed on the soft ferns in between them. Whilst they feed, they expel excess gas. The herd then moves on in their remorseless search for food.
-Four years later, an ''Anurognathus'' is seen looking for a host. It then finds the female ''Diplodocus''
-[[File:WWD_Anurognathus.jpg|thumb|262px|Two Anurognathus]]along with her siblings who are now 12 meters long. Predators like ''Ornitholestes'' are no longer a threat. The creche has moved to the outskirts of the forest as they are getting too large to stay in the deep forest. The ''Diplodocus ''creche goes to the river to drink but catch the scent of smoke. It's a large forest fire. The ''Diplodocus'' slowly escape the flames. During the night, the fire ignites all of the trees and kills a vast plethora of animals.
-The next day, it's revealed that only three ''Diplodocus'' managed to survive and are driven out into the open prairies. The creche pass by a resting pair of ''Allosaurus'' but the carnivores do not attack them. Then, a large ''[[Brachiosaurus]]'' encounters the creche and starts feeding on the tree tops. The ''Diplodocus'' do not have the same size advantages so they need the protection of an adult herd urgently. Only two youngsters have survived and need help. Then, the massive adult herd of ''Diplodocus'' appear. A huge elderly female sizes up the two youngsters and accepts them. They are safe at last. The herd then begins feeding.
-Five years later, the herd is at full strength. It is now breeding season and the young female is now old enough and big enough to reproduce. The males have started to display. They do this by rearing up on their hind legs to impress females. Occasionally, the males get physical and fights break out. The victor wins the right to mate. The young female is approached by a young male. She responds by stamps and then responds using very low frequency rumbles. She then shows she is receptive and then the male mounts her.
-After a few days, the ''Diplodocus'' have calmed. The young female feeds outside the herd but she is being watched by a pair of ''Allosaurus''. She then notices the ''Allosaurus'' and turns to get away. The ''Allosaurus'' chases the female and then attacks her. She attempts to escape but is pursued by the ''Allosaurus''. She tries to ward off the ''Allosaurus'' but in unsuccessful. However, the older female ''Diplodocus''' whip-like tail hits the ''Allosaurus''. She survives and returns to the herd despite her serious wounds. The herd then moves on.
 ==Creatures ==
 ===152 Million Years Ago (Colorado, USA)===
@@ Line 40: / Line 24: @@
 *''[[Brachiosaurus]]'' <small> (first appearance)</small>
 *[[Dragonfly|Damselfly]] <small> (live acted, first appearance) </small>
-*[[Dung beetles|Dung beetle]] <small> (live acted, first appearance)</small>
+*[[Dung Beetle|Dung Beetles]] <small> (live acted, first appearance)</small>
+== Alternate Versions ==
+* In a rerelease, the following scenes are cut:
+** Scene with the mother ''Diplodocus'' laying her eggs.
+** The introduction to the sauropodlets' forest refuge.
+** The scenes that feature the damselflies, the ''Anurognathus'', and the dung beetles.
+** The scene where the crèche encounters ''Diplodocus'' skeleton.
+** The scene where the ''Diplodocus'' flattens the forest is shortened.
+** The forest fire scene.
 ==Trivia==
 *This episode features the first feathered animal in the series - ''Ornitholestes''.`
+*In the original version there were some lines that were removed in the later version. They can be heard on the 2001 American VHS re-release however.
-*in The Original Version There Were Some Lines That Never Were Heard in The Later Version.
 ==Gallery==
@@ Line 67: / Line 61: @@
 </gallery>
 ==Errors==
-*''Diplodocus ''could never reach adulthood in only a decade. The minimum amount of time it would take for ''Diplodocus'' to reach adulthood was forty years.
+*''Diplodocus ''could never reach adulthood in only a decade. The minimum amount of time it would take for ''Diplodocus'' to reach adulthood would be twenty to forty years.
 *''Ornitholestes'' never had a nasal crest.
+*''Ornitholestes'' would have had sickle claws on each of its retractable second toes, similar to a dromaeosaurid. It would have also been feathered, which the companion book depicts.
-*''Anurognathus'' lived in [[Germany]], not [[North America]]. They were microbat-like insectivores, and did not behave like modern [[oxpecker]]s do. Its anatomy is also very inconsistent with the real animal, with a typically elongated neck, deep skull and small wings
+*''Anurognathus'' lived in [[Germany]], not [[North America]]. They were microbat-like insectivores, with no evidence suggesting that they lived a lifestyle similar to modern day [[oxpecker]]s. Its anatomy is also very inconsistent with the real animal, with a typically elongated neck, deep skull and small wings
-*''Allosaurus's'' anatomy is inconsistent with the real animal too.
+*''Allosaurus's'' anatomy is inconsistent with the real animal, especially concerning the short skull which was a common portrayal at the time due to its incorrect reconstruction.
+*The way the ''Diplodocus'' lays its eggs in the episode was based on modern turtles, which, like the sauropod in the episode, have ovipositors. But ever since the episode came out, there has been debate about how sauropods laid their eggs without breaking them. It’s now likely that sauropods, including large ones, laid flat on the ground with the cloaca close to the hole in the ground that is being used as a nest.
+*''Brachiosaurus'' is stated to weigh 70 tons, and is said to be the largest land animal that has ever existed. However, the largest ''Brachiosaurus'' specimen is estimated at 37 tons, with later sauropods such as ''Argentinosaurus'' weighing even more. The raised bump on the head is somewhat thin. In reality, the bump had more soft tissue around it. The legs and torso of ''Brachiosaurus'' were deeper and taller, and its tail would have been shorter and held higher.
+*Contrary to what is said at the end of the episode (“With their passing, life would never again be this large.”), sauropods persisted into the Cretaceous period, flourishing across the globe during the early cretaceous however becoming increasing rare across the globe during the late cretaceous with the exception of South America. Regardless of sauropods, Modern day cetaceans prove that life has indeed reached such sizes again.
+*The plates of ''Stegosaurus'' were covered in a horny sheath rather than skin, so it could not intimidate predators like ''Allosaurus'' by flushing blood into them, as evidenced by the preserved integument impressions of the closely related stegosaurid ''Hesperosaurus''.
+*''Allosaurus'' is said to be the top predator of its age. In reality, the top predator of the Morrison Formation at this time was the megalosaurid ''Torvosaurus'', which was larger and heavier than ''Allosaurus'', however not nearly as common.
+== Broadcast==
+=== Original airdate===
-==Broadcast==
-===Original airdate===
 *11 October 1999 20.30 BBC One
 ===Repeats===
 *12 October 1999 18.30 BBC Choice
 *16 October 1999 20.00 BBC Choice