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?

all of them.
I'd like to start with 12. Iguanodon

Barbara ★ wrote: "all of them.
I'd like to start with 12. Iguanodon"

Awesome.

* 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 (#1 of 20)

Is the DNA? Iguanodon
Task: read a book where the author's first or last name begins with a 'R' or 'O'
Book: Under Suspicion - Rachel Lee
Read: 8/31
Pages: 355
How it Fits: author first name starts with R

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

Which dinosaur would you like to examine next?

10. 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 (#2 of 20)

Is the DNA? Giganotosaurus
Task: read a book with "fearsome" in the text of the book
Book: Frozen Tides - Morgan Rhodes
Read: 9/9
Pages: 413
How it Fits: (we'll be a fearsome sight), p230

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

Which dinosaur would you like to examine next?

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'

Completion Post (#3 of 20)

Is the DNA? Archaeopteryx
Task: read a book where the MC looks for evidence
Book: Cold Blooded Liar - Karen Rose
Read: 9/13
Pages: 453
How it Fits: MC is a detective chasing a serial killer, she looks for lots of evidence

Next Dinosaur: Compsognathus

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

Compsognathus is on its way.

* 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 (#4 of 20)

Is the DNA? Compsognathus
Task: read a book published in a year ending in '2'
Book: Forced to Flee - Terri Reed
Read: 9/17
Pages: 224
How it Fits: published September 27, 2022

Next Dinosaur: Therizinosaurus

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

Here are the Therizinosaurus tasks.

* Common name: Therizinosaurus
* Type of dinosaur: Theropod
* Size: 26-36 ft./8–11 m
* Period: Late Cretaceous

Therizinosaurus was a towering therapod famous for its long arms and huge claws. Each hand had three claws, the longest of which grew to more than 20 in./50 cm in length. The name Therizinosaurus, which means “scythe lizard”, refers to the dinosaur’s large claws.

Although Therizinosaurus’ claws are impressive, they may not have been used solely as weapons. This large dinosaur may have moved around like a gorilla, occasionally standing on its hind legs and using its claws to pull down vegetation to eat.

Therizinosaurus achieved fame as the subject of the Walking with Dinosaurs series episode, “The Giant Claw”.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book with a MC that lives in a building that has a tower
2. read a book with between 200 and 250 pages
3. read a book where the MC does yard work
4. read a book with the word 'gorilla' in the text
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post (#5 of 20)

Is the DNA? Therizinosaurus
Task: read a book where the MC does yard work
Book: Unsettled Ground - Claire Fuller
Read: 9/25
Pages: 327
How it Fits: heroine takes care of their farm and garden

Next Dinosaur: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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

Good luck with 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 (#6 of 20)

Is the DNA? Tyrannosaurus Rex
Task: read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical" or "Historical Fiction'
Book: The Girl the Sea Gave Back - Adrienne Young
Read: 10/4
Pages: 327
How it Fits: has MPG historical fiction

Next: Stegosaurus

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

Here comes 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 (#7 of 20)

Is the DNA? Stegosaurus
Task: read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical" or "Historical Fiction'
Book: Night of the Witch - Sara Raasch & Beth Revis
Read: 10/13
Pages: 416
How it Fits: has MPG historical

Next dinosaur: Parasaurolophus

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

Are you ready for Parasaurolophus?

* Common name: Parasaurolophus
* Type of dinosaur: Ornithischian
* Size: 31 ft./9 m
* Period: Late Cretaceous

Parasaurolophus is one of the most famous hadrosaurid, or “duck-billed”, dinosaurs. Its name, which means “near/almost crested lizard”, refers to its being a close relative of Saurolophus. (Saurolophus, another hadrosaurid, appeared around 3 million years after Parasaurolophus.)

Parasaurolophus was a plant eating browser, able to walk on either two or four legs. It had a large, backwards-curving crest on the back of its head. Tubes ran from the nostrils to the crest, which may have been used to produce sounds.

To identify this dinosaur, complete one of the following:
1. read a book set in Australia (where the duck-billed platypuses are)
2. read a book with all the letters of ALMOST in the title
3. read a book from the Half a million ratings to a million ratings list
4. listen to an audio book
5. read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'

Completion Post (#8 of 20)

Is the DNA Parasaurolophus?
Task: listen to an audio book

Book: Choosing Theo - Victoria Aveline
Read: 10/18
Pages: 381
How it Fits: I listened to the audiobook

Next: Coelophysis

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

Here comes Coelophysis.

* 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 (#9 of 20)

Is the DNA Coelophysis?
Task: read a book within 24 hours
Book: You Deserve Each Other - Sarah Hogle
Read: 10/19
Pages: 357
How it Fits: started reading at lunch time and finished at 6pm

Next: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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

You examined T. Rex back in Message 24.

well phooey. how about Brontosaurus

Barbara ★ wrote: "well phooey. how about Brontosaurus"

: D

* 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 (#10 of 20)

Is the DNA Brontosaurus ?
Task: read a book tagged 'History', 'Historical' or 'Historical Fiction'
Book: The Librarian of Crooked Lane - C.J. Archer
Read: 10/25
Pages: 284
How it Fits: MPG historical fiction

Next: Triceratops

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

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 (#11 of 20)

Is the DNA Triceratops?
Task: read a book with a large or powerful MC
Book: Heart of Fire - Bec McMaster
Read: 10/28
Pages: 270
How it Fits: hero is a dragon shifter and is very powerful and large

Next: 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 (#12 of 20)

Is the DNA Brachiosaurus?
Task: read a book set in Colorado, USA
Book: All the Crooked Saints - Maggie Stiefvater
Read: 11/5
Pages: 313
How it Fits: takes place in Colorado

Next: Velociraptor

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

Velociraptor is coming your way.

* 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 (#13 of 20)

Is the DNA Velociraptor?
Task: read a book with something that is taller than a man on the cover

Book: The September House - Carissa Orlando
Read: 11/6
Pages: 344
How it Fits: there is a 3 story house on the cover

Next: Coelophysis

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

You got Coelophysis back in Message 32.

I'm glad someone is paying attention. UGH

How about: Spinosaurus

Barbara ★ wrote: "I'm glad someone is paying attention. UGH"

:D