Hypsilophodon foxii (C/N)

“High-Crested Tooth” discovered in 1849 in England, described & named in 1870 by T.H. Huxley. Hypsilophodon lived during the Early Cretaceous Period. It was 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length, 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) in height. When it was first discovered in 1849, it was thought to be a juvenile Iguanodon. They likely had cheeks to facilitate in the chewing of food, and had self-sharpening molars. These Cretaceous animals retained many primitive features such as a five fingered hand, and front teeth. Fossil nests show that Hypsilophodon made organized nests, and the finding of large groups of Hypsilophodons suggests that they traveled in herds.

In Jurassic Park, Hypsilophodons were the first species seen on the Park Drive tour, living alongside the Othnielia in what had been dubbed “Hypsilophodont Highlands”. They could be roused by playing a mating call which sounded “like the honking of geese”. They were described as “not especially bright animals” having “roughly the intelligence of a domestic cow.” They were often seen scratching because they had skin problems potentially caused by a fungus or an allergy, however the veterinarians were not truly sure of the afflictions origin.

One was seen being recaptured by Dr. Gerry Harding and John Hammond. It had been tranquilized and placed on a truck for transport. Harding measured the animal’s temperature at 96.2 degrees Fahrenheit, claiming this to be “dropped a degree and a half”; thus the normal body temperature was around 97.7 degrees. When it returned to its habitat, Hammond and Harding noticed it moved like a kangaroo: leaping every few feet.

Being one of the Dinosaurs that had amphibian DNA fragments the Hypsilophodontids were confirmed to have bred with an expected population of 33, an actual population of 34, and an equilibrium population of 14. They were expected to be version 2.9, but due to the breeding it was impossible for the computer to accurately assign a version number.