The Challenge Factory discussion

Dr. Grant, thank you for coming all the way to Costa Rica to examine the DNA. We hope you will enjoy your time here at the biological preserve on Isla Nublar. You should have no worries for your safety. *cue eerie music that will cause shivers up and down your spine*

Your task is to code the dinosaur DNA (read one task from the five tasks given for a dinosaur). You will then post on the DNA Verification thread asking for confirmation whether you have successfully deduced the correct DNA.

If you have not, you will then read for the next dinosaur.

Before you begin the process, I will ask how many dinosaurs you wish to read for. There are 20 possible matches to the unidentified DNA. This number will be noted in your Completion Posts.


HOW TO PLAY:
1. Take a look at the list of dinosaurs.
2. Choose your first extinct reptile and post it into your thread.
3. The moderator will then post the related information and tasks.
4. When you have read one of the tasks, post on your thread the following:

Completion Post (#? of ?)
Is the DNA (dinosaur name goes here)?
Task:
Book:
Pages:
How it Fits:

5. And then leave a message on the DNA Verification thread.

Rules:
* Books must be at least 140 pages.
* You can use or ignore 'a', 'an, 'the'
* Page count for audio books will be determined the first paper version shown on Goodreads. On the book's page, select “all editions”, then use the first paper edition to determine the page number.

Possible Dinosaur Matches
1. Allosaurus
2. Apatosaurus
3. Ankylosaurus
4. Archaeopteryx
5. Brachiosaurus
6. Brontosaurus
7. Coelophysis
8. Compsognathus
9. Diplodocus
10. Giganotosaurus
11. Gallimimus
12. Iguanodon
13. Parasaurolophus
14. Spinosaurus
15. Stegosaurus
16. Therizinosaurus
17. Triceratops
18. Troodon
19. Tyrannosaurus Rex
20. Velociraptor

Welcome to Costa Rica, Dr. Grant. How many samples of dinosaur DNA will you be examining? And which one do you want to start with?

I would like to do them all and will start with Allosaurus.

Caraina wrote: "I would like to do them all and will start with Allosaurus."

Awesome! Here are the Allosaurus tasks.

* Common name: Allosaurus
* Type of dinosaur: Theropod
* Size: 39 ft./12 m
* Period: Late Jurassic

Allosaurus is one of the most famous dinosaurs of the Jurassic Period. This very large, powerfully-built bipedal predator lived in what is now the USA, where numerous specimens have been found. Possible Allosaurus fossils have also been found in Tanzania, Portugal and China.

The prey of Allosaurus would likely have included Stegosaurus and possibly large sauropods such as Apatosaurus.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book with a title that begins with 'A'
2. read a book where an actual famous person is mentioned
3. read a book set in the United States of America
4. read a book where the MC travels to at least 3 countries
5. read a book tagged "History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 1 of 20
Is the DNA Allosaurus?
Task: 5. read a book tagged "History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'
Book: The Silent Songbird/Melanie Dickerson
Pages: 296
How it Fits: The book is tagged Historical Fiction

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Allosaurus.

Which dinosaur would you like to examine next?

Lanelle wrote: "

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Allosaurus.

Which dinosaur would you like to examine next?"

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Here comes Tyrannosaurus Rex.

* Common name: Tyrannosaurus Rex
* Type of dinosaur: Theropod
* Size: 40 ft./12.3 m
* Period: Late Cretaceous

It says much about the popularity of this dinosaur that Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of the few dinosaurs to be known by its species name, rather than by the wider genus name.

In scientific terminology, a species name has two words, the first word being the genus (in this case Tyrannosaurus, meaning “tyrant lizard”); the second word being an identifying name (in this case, rex, meaning “king”).

T. rex is usually thought of as an apex predator, but it’s likely that the species was also at least partly a scavenger.

The skull of T. rex was heavily-built and its jaws suggest that it had a powerful bite force. The largest T. rex teeth were around 12 in./30 cm in length, including the root.

Although the forelimbs of T. rex were short, they were thought to be powerful. It is likely that they were used to prevent prey from escaping.

T. rex lived right at the end of the Cretaceous Period, and this famous dinosaur was likely one of the last dinosaurs to have lived.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book with a person's name in the title
2. read a book from the Popular Books that Annoy You list
3. read a book published in the 12th month or on the 30th day of any month
4. read a book where the MC is short (a child counts)
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical" or "Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 2 of 20
Is the DNA Tyrannosaurus Rex?
Task: 4. read a book where the MC is short (a child counts)
Book: Rumor Has It/Tami Hoag
Pages: 304
How it Fits: The MC is described as having short legs and being short in stature.
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): Brontosaurus

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Tyrannosaurus.

Are you ready for Brontosaurus?

* Common name: Brontosaurus
* Type of dinosaur: Sauropod
* 72 ft./22 m
* Period: Late Jurassic

Brontosaurus is one of the most famous sauropod dinosaurs, but for many years wasn’t actually considered to be a valid genus. This is because, after Brontosaurus had been named, it was decided that the specimen was, in fact, an Apatosaurus.

Apatosaurus had been named first, and when naming species, the rule is that the first name is the one that should be used. Therefore, Brontosaurus should have been renamed Apatosaurus.

Research carried out in the 21st century suggests that Brontosaurus is sufficiently different to Apatosaurus to be considered a genus in its own right. Therefore, Brontosaurus was again considered to be an “official” dinosaur, although not all paleontologists agree with this decision.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book that has been republished with a different title
2. read the first book in a duology, trilogy, or series
3. read a book published in the 21st century
4. read a book with an official as a significant character (an official is a person holding public office, having official duties, or holds a position of authority in an organization)
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 3 of 20
Is the DNA Brontosaurus?
Task: 3. read a book published in the 21st century
Book: Do Not Become Alarmed/Maile Meloy
Pages: 352
How it Fits: The book was published in 2017.
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): Triceratops

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Brontosaurus.

Here comes Triceratops.

* Common name: Triceratops
* Type of dinosaur: Ornithischian
* Size: 30 ft./9m
* Period: Late Cretaceous

Triceratops was a large, powerful, plant-eating dinosaur that lived in what is now North America. It is one of the most famous dinosaurs, and one of the most recognizable, due to its three horns (one on its snout, the other two at the top of its face), and the large bony shield that extends backwards from the back of the skull.

The horns and shield may have been defensive adaptations against predators (Triceratops lived alongside fearsome predators such as Tyrannosaurus Rex), but they may have been used for courtship or establishing dominance against other Triceratops.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book with a large or powerful MC
2. read a book from the Books with Fictional Vegetarian or Vegan Characters list
3. read a book with a three word title (including articles)
4. read a book with 'horns' or 'shield' in the text of the book
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical" or "Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 4 of 20
Is the DNA Triceratops?
Task: 3. read a book with a three word title (including articles)
Book: The Orphan's Wish/Melanie Dickerson
Pages: 351
Date Read: 10/26/23
How it Fits: The has a three word title.
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 5. Brachiosaurus

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Triceratops.

Are you ready for Brachiosaurus?

* Common name: Brachiosaurus
* Type of dinosaur: Sauropod
* Size: 75 ft./23m
* Period: Late Jurassic

First discovered in Colorado, United States, Brachiosaurus is a sauropod from the Late Jurassic period. It can be distinguished from other sauropods by its extra-long front legs, which gave its body a downward-sloping appearance.

The genus name Brachiosaurus, which means “arm lizard”, refers to the dinosaur’s long front legs.

Brachiosaurus is likely to have held its neck erect and would have been capable of reaching foliage around 50 ft/15 m above the ground.

Brachiosaurus appears in this list of famous dinosaurs because it appears in two notable scenes in Jurassic Park. It is the first dinosaur seen by paleontologists Drs Grant and Sattler. Later in the movie, a Brachiosaurus sneezes over one of the children.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book set in Colorado, USA
2. read a book where the MC has long legs or is very tall
3. read a book that was first published over 50 years ago (1972 or earlier)
4. read a book where the MC is a doctor of some kind
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 5 of 20
Is the DNA Brachiosaurus?
Task: 5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'
Book: Under a Sky of Memories/Soraya M. Lane
Pages: 351
Date Read: 10/27/23
How it Fits: The book is tagged Historical Fiction.
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 15. Stegosaurus

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Brachiosaurus.

Are you ready for Stegosaurus?

* Common name: Stegosaurus
* Type of dinosaur: Ornithischian
* Size: 30 ft./9m
* Period: Late Jurassic

Most people can identify a Stegosaurus due to the distinctive plates that run along the dinosaur’s back. The plates may have offered a means of defense against predators or played a part in keeping the dinosaur’s body at the correct temperature. Today, it is thought the plates’ most likely function is that they were used in display, to signify dominance and to attract a mate.

Even if the plates’ primary function wasn’t defense, Stegosaurus was by no means defenseless. Its tail was equipped with four long (up to 3 ft./1.5 m) spikes. In many specimens, the spikes are worn or damaged, suggesting that they were used in combat when the dinosaur was alive.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book where the MC uses a disguise to hide his/her identity
2. read a book from the Dishes on the Cover list
3. read a book with a season in the title (Spring, Summer, Fall, Autumn, Winter)
4. read the 4th book in a series
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical" or "Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 6 of 20
Is the DNA Stegosaurus?
Task: 5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'
Book: Until She Comes Home/Lori Roy
Pages: 339
Date Read: 10/29/23
How it Fits: The book is tagged Historical Fiction.
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 20. Velociraptor

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Stegosaurus.

Watch out for Velociraptor.

* Common name: Velociraptor
* Type of dinosaur: theropod
* Size: 6.5 ft/2m
* Period: Late Cretaceous

Many depictions of Velociraptor, including those in Jurassic Park, suggest that it was taller than a man. In fact, Velociraptor was turkey-sized, standing around 1.6 ft./50 cm tall and 6.5 ft./2m long.

Another inaccuracy in the Jurassic Park velociraptors is that they are portrayed without feathers. Velociraptor is now known to have had both feathers, and wings. It is thought that the ancestors of Velociraptor may have been able to fly. (Velociraptor itself is thought to be flightless.)

One each of Velociraptor’s feet was a 3.5 in./9 cm killing claw. Armed with such formidable weapons, Velociraptor would have been a proficient hunter. In one famous fossil, a Velociraptor is fighting a Protoceratops.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book with something that is taller than a man on the cover
2. read a book with a MC that has a pet bird
3. read a book where the MC travels through the air (in an airplane, helicopter, spaceship, on a broom or magic carpet, or rescued by a Great Eagle :)
4. read a book where the MC might be armed with a weapon
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical" or "Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 7 of 20
Is the DNA Velociraptor?
Task: 4. read a book where the MC might be armed with a weapon
Book: Destined for an Early Grave/Jeaniene Frost
Pages: 355
Date Read: 10/29/23
How it Fits: The MC is armed with knives
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 10. Giganotosaurus

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Velociraptor.

Here comes Giganotosaurus.

* Common name: Giganotosaurus
* Type of dinosaur: Theropod
* Size: 39 ft./12 m
* Period: Late Cretaceous

Giganotosaurus was a large, meat-eating dinosaur that lived in South America in the Late Cretaceous.

It’s possible that this fearsome dinosaur was the largest land carnivore ever to have lived; some paleontologists estimate its length could have exceeded 49 ft./15 m.

This famous dinosaur had crest-like ridges on the skull in front of the eyes.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book set in South America
2. read a book Size Matters! list
3. read a book with "fearsome" in the text of the book
4. read a book with a close-up of eyes on the cover
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 8 of 20
Is the DNA Giganotosaurus?
Task: 5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'
Book: The Warrior Maiden/Melanie Dickerson
Pages: 255
Date Read: 10/30/23
How it Fits: The book is tagged Historical Fiction
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 12. Iguanodon

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Giganotosaurus.

Iguanodon is stomping your way.

* Common name: Iguanodon
* Type of dinosaur: Ornithischian
* Size: 30 ft./9 m
* Period: Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous

Iguanodon was one of three dinosaurs that paleontologist Sir Richard Owen used as examples when classifying dinosaurs (the other two example dinosaurs were Megalosaurus and Hylaeosaurus). This famous ornithischian dinosaur was first discovered in England, with other specimens later being found in other parts of Europe.

The skull of Iguanodon was narrow and beaked, and this plant-eating animal had teeth suitable for grinding tough vegetation.

Iguanodon was probably quadrupedal, but may have been able to rear up onto its hind legs in order to reach food.

To identfy this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book published in the 3rd month of any year
2. read a book where the author's first or last name begins with a 'R' or 'O'
3. read a book set in England
4. read a book about a tough subject (your definition)
5. read a book tagged 'History', Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 9 of 20
Is the DNA Iguanodon?
Task: 4. read a book about a tough subject (your definition)
Book/Author: The Nazis Knew My Name/Magda Hellinger
Pages: 320
Date Read: 10/31/23
How it Fits: The book is about the Holocaust
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 18. Troodon

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from the Iguanodon.

Here comes Troodon.

* Common name: Troodon
* Type of dinosaur: Theropod
* Size: 6.5 ft./2 m
* Period: Late Cretaceous

Troodon means “wounding tooth”, a name that comes from the dinosaur’s serrated teeth. The teeth were the first Troodon specimens to be found.

Most paleontologists believe that Troodon was a predator, with large eyes and one of the biggest brains in relation to body size of any dinosaur.

An opposing view is that Troodon’s serrated teeth were used to slice through leaves rather than meat, and that the dinosaur was an omnivore.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book the MC gets physically wounded
2. read a book with something on the cover that has a jagged edge (serrated)
3. read a book where the MC is considered intelligent
4. read a book from the Polar Opposites list
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 10 of 20
Is the DNA Troodon?
Task: 3. read a book where the MC is considered intelligent
Book/Author: The Limits of the World: A Novel/Jennifer Acker
Pages: 225
Date Read: 11/1/23
How it Fits: One of the MC's is considered intelligent
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 14. Spinosaurus

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from Troodon.

Are you ready for Spinosaurus?

* Common name: Spinosaurus
* Type of dinosaur: Therapod
* Size: 56 ft./17 m.
* Period: Late Cretaceous

The first Spinosaurus was discovered in Egypt in 1912. Unfortunately, the specimen was destroyed when the museum in Germany in which it was being stored was bombed during the war.

Several more Spinosaurus fossils have since been found, also in North Africa.

Spinosaurus is one of the biggest land predators ever to have lived. Like other spinosaurids, it had elongated spines on its back. These are thought to have supported a sail made of skin.

Paleontologists are unsure of the purpose of the Spinosaurus’s sail. It may have helped to keep the dinosaur at the correct temperature, or have been used as a display to attract mates.

Another explanation is that it helped Spinosaurus move through the water while swimming. Spinosaurus’s long, thin jaws and sharp teeth suggest it was a fish eater.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book set in the Middle East or Northern Africa
2. read a book where the MC goes to a museum
3. read a book set during a war, battle, or conflict
4. read a book with 400+ pages
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 11 of 20
Is the DNA Spinosaurus?
Task: 5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'
Book/Author: Westering Women/Sandra Dallas
Pages: 333
Date Read: 11/3/23
How it Fits: The book is tagged 'Historical Fiction'
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 7. Coelophysis

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from Spinosaurus.

Here are the Coelophysis tasks.

* Common name: Coelophysis
* Type of dinosaur: Theropod
* Size: 10 ft./3 m
* Period: Late Triassic – Early Jurassic

Famous for being one of the earliest-known dinosaurs, Coelophysis is a 10 ft./3 m long dinosaur that lived in what is now the southwestern United States. (Specimens have also been found in southern Africa.)

Coelophysis was a fast-moving bipedal (two-legged) hunter. Its relatively small teeth and slender arms suggest it preyed on animals significantly smaller than itself.

Large numbers of Coelophysis specimens found together suggest it may have lived or hunted in packs.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book published in 2010
2. read a book set in Arizona or Nevada
3. read a book within 24 hours
4. read a book where the MC belongs to a pack or group of some kind
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 12 of 20
Is the DNA Coelophysis?
Task: 5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'
Book/Author: Two Spies in Caracas/Moisés Naím
Pages: 347
Date Read: 11/3/23
How it Fits: The book is tagged 'Historical Fiction'
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 8. Compsognathus

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from Coelophysis.

Watch out for Compsognathus.

* Common name: Compsognathus
* Type of dinosaur: Theropod
* Size: 4.33 ft./1.32 m
* Period: Late Jurassic

Compsognathus was a small, bipedal, meat-eating dinosaur that lived in what is now Europe in the Late Jurassic.

An almost-complete Compsognathus fossil was found in Germany in the mid-nineteenth century. Scientists know the species is predatory because this specimen had the fossilized remains of a lizard in its stomach. A slightly larger Compsognathus specimen was found in France around 100 years later.

For many years, Compsognathus was famous for being the smallest-known dinosaur. However, several smaller dinosaurs have since been found.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book published in a year ending in '2' (2022, 2012, 2002, 1992, and so on)
2. read a book set in continental Europe
3. read a book that is tagged 'New Adult'
4. read a book by an author you have just discovered
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 13 of 20
Is the DNA Compsognathus?
Task: 4. read a book by an author you have just discovered
Book/Author: The Director/David Ignatius
Pages: 384
Date Read: 11/4/23
How it Fits: I discovered the author while looking for a book for another challenge.
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 3. Ankylosaurus

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from Compsognathus.

Are you ready for Ankylosaurus?

* Common name: Ankylosaurus
* Type of dinosaur: Ornithischian
* Size: 26 ft./8m
* Period: Late Cretaceous

Ankylosaurus is one of the most famous armored dinosaurs. It was the largest ankylosaurid, and the last of its kind – it is thought to have lived right up to the end of the Cretaceous Period.

The body of Ankylosaurus was covered in bony plates. It had a beak and teeth, and four horns that projected backwards from its head. Its tail ended in a club, which provided protection from predators. This would have been useful; Ankylosaurus lived alongside Tyrannosaurus.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read the last book in a trilogy or series
2. read a book published in 2000 (the last year of the 20th century)
3. read a book where you can only see the back of someone's head
4. read a book where the MC has an enemy
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post: 14 of 20
Is the DNA Ankylosaurus?
Task: 4. read a book where the MC has an enemy
Book/Author: A ​Court of Silver Flames/Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 768
Date Read: 11/9/23
How it Fits: The MC has an enemy
Next Dinosaur (if applicable): 4. Archaeopteryx

I'm sorry. The DNA isn't from Ankylosaurus.

Here comes Archaeopteryx.

* Common name: Archaeopteryx
* Type of dinosaur: Theropod
* Size: 1 ft./30cm long
* Period: Late Jurassic

The discovery of Archaeopteryx, a crow-sized, feathered dinosaur, provided evidence to support Charles Darwin’s theory of Evolution. This is because Archaeopteryx had characteristics of both reptiles and birds, suggesting that the ancestors of Archaeopteryx were dinosaurs and that its descendants would be modern birds. Fossils such as these are known as “transitional fossils”.

Archaeopteryx had feathered wings and is believed to have been able to fly. Unlike modern birds (and like reptiles), it had teeth and a long tail.

The importance of Archaeopteryx in establishing the link between dinosaurs and birds, together with its extremely well-preserved fossils, mean that it is one of the most famous dinosaurs.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book where the MC looks for evidence
2. read a book where the MC's first or last name begins with 'C' or 'D'
3. read a book set in a country where your ancestors came from
4. read a book Transitional Chapter Books Series list (if you read a book from this list, there is no page minimum requirement)
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'