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Heterodontosaurus

ZooTek Phoenix

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Author: Moondawg

Keywords: extinct animals, dinosaurs

Date Released: Jan 5 2009

Current HeterodontosaurusMD_2008.ztd dated 1 January 2009

File Size: 471.07k

Compatibility: DD, MM, or CC is needed because of its food type.

Description: Heterodontosaurus (meaning "Different Toothed Lizard") was a small herbivorous dinosaur with sharp canine teeth which lived in the Early Jurassic of South Africa.
It was similar to a Hypsilophodont in shape, and ate plants, despite its razor-sharp canines.
Heterodontosaurus is currently known from specimens of the SAFM (South African Museum) from South Africa. There are two known morphologies of this genus, the second of which is thought by some to represent a different species. The type species, H. tucki, is from the Upper Elliot Formation of Hettangian (199-196 Million Years Ago) age. It is probably a senior objective synonym of Abrictosaurus, as has been suggested in the past.

Heterodontosaurus was a small, fleetfooted ornithischian that reached a maximum size of about 3 feet. It had a long, narrow pelvis and a pubis which resembled those possessed by more advanced ornithischians.

More unusual was that the hand of Heterodontosaurus had five fingers, two of which seem to be opposable. This configuration allowed Heterodontosaurus to grasp and manipulate food. The bone in the foot and ankle were fused in a manner reminiscent of those in birds.

Another interesting feature is the specialization of teeth which gave rise to the animal's name. Most dinosaurs (and indeed most reptiles) have a single type of tooth in their jaws, while Heterodontosaurus had three. At the front of the jaw beside the beak were small teeth likely used for chopping off leaves and stems.

Next in the jaw was a large pair of tusks whose purpose is unknown, but it is speculated that they were used as sexual displays. In that scenario, the tusks could have been used as weapons by rival males in disputes over mates and territories. The final type of teeth were tall and squared off. This type of teeth was well adapted for chewing. Fleshy cheeks helped keep the food in the mouth while chewing occurred. Chewing is relatively common in dinosaurs, but uncommon for other groups of reptiles.

This bizarre suite of teeth has led to debate over what heterodontosaurs ate. Some scientists think heterodontosaurs were omnivores who used their differently-shaped teeth to eat both plants and small animals.

Additional info:

HeterodontosaurusMD_2008.ztd                                 uca: 5AF703F2 dated 1 January 2009

Results From Configuration Checking:

5af703f2.uca date: Thu Jan 01 14:06:56 2009
No Errors or Warnings to show.
Animal Type: 5AF703F2

Heterodontosaurus

It was similar to a Hypsilophodont in shape, and ate plants, despite its
razor-sharp canines.
    (plus 6 other paragraphs)

Animal Characteristics:

Habitat: Rainforest; Location: Africa; Era: Jurassic
Minimum happiness needed for chance of breeding: 95.
Animal can jump.
Animal can climb cliffs.
Cannot be used in original Zoo Tycoon: cKeeperFoodType (8) is not 0 to 5.

Exhibit Preferences:

Foliage:
Ulmo Tree, Mangrove Tree, Elephant Ear Tree, Foxtail Palm Tree
Llala Palm Tree, Rainforest Bush, Rainforest Fern, Orchid Tree, Kapok Tree
Broadleaf Bush, Thouarsus Cycad Tree (DD), Fern Bush (DD)
Leptocycas Tree (DD), Monkey Puzzle Tree (DD), Williamsonia Tree (DD)
Fallen Rainforest Tree (ES), Rainforest Stump (ES), Rafflesia (ES)
Giant Ficus Tree (ES), Durian Tree (ES)

Rocks:
Large Rock, Large Rock - 1, Large Rock - 2, Large Rock - 3, Large Rock - 4
Small Rock - Medium, Small Rock - Small, Small Rock - 7, Small Rock - 8
Small Rock - 9, Stone Ruins, Rainforest Rock - Formation
Mossy Rainforest Rock (ES), Limestone Rock (ES)

Other specifically liked items:
Jungle Rock - Formation, Waterfall Rock - Formation

Exhibit Construction:

Number of animals allowed per exhibit: 1-3 with 40 squares for each adult.

Exhibit size (for 2 adults): 80 grid squares

Terrain (for exhibit with 80 grid squares):
64 Rainforest Floor, 8 Grass, 8 Fresh Water

Foliage (for exhibit with 80 grid squares):
6 grid squares should contain foliage.
Foliage that would give the most happiness: Leptocycas Tree (DD)
Since this is a small plant, greatest happiness will occur
if each of the 6 grid squares contains 4 of this plant.

Rocks (for exhibit with 80 grid squares):
6 Small Rock - Small, which is its most liked rock.