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Islands

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“ On a small island, a monumental display takes place as the giant Hatzegopteryx reveals his gentler side to woo a mate. ”

― The official Apple TV+ episode synopsis for Islands

Islands is the first episode of the second season of Prehistoric Planet, and the sixth episode of the series overall.

Segment I: Zalmoxes[]

Zalmoxes sees a larger rafting island up ahead
Zalmoxes sees a larger rafting island up ahead
“ The mouth of a river in southern Europe, 66 million years ago. In the aftermath of a tropical storm, debris is drifting downstream. And amongst the wreckage, rafts of wreckage ripped from the land. For a weary pterosaur, this one may be a welcome place to rest. But it's far from safe... ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

In the first segment of the episode, a weary adult Alcione rests on a collection of vegetation in southern Europe, a raft drifting out of a river into the sea. For a moment, it feels safe, flapping its wings as the raft drifts on peacefully. But suddenly, sensing that something is wrong, the Alcione takes to the skies just as a large marine predator lunges at its raft.

Zalmoxes prepares to jump off his raft, aware of the Prognathodon closing in on him
Zalmoxes prepares to jump off his raft, aware of the Prognathodon closing in on him
“ A huge mosasaur, a deadly underwater hunter, is looking for an easy meal... such as this little dinosaur, Zalmoxes. Staying here is too risky. He needs a larger raft, and quickly. There's little choice but to swim for it. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

Seeing yet another easy meal, the mosasaur, a Prognathodon,[DN 1] approaches another raft, where a Zalmoxes begins to panic. Barely able to keep his balance on the drifting log, the ornithopod jumps into the water as the Prognathodon closes in on him. Paddling frantically, he manages to clamber up on a larger drifting island, retreating into the safety of the trees. However, he senses that he is not the first on the large raft, and looks around, sniffing.

Zalmoxes bonding with each other
Zalmoxes bonding with each other
“ He is not the first here. Another castaway, a female. Their raft is drifting out to sea. Sometimes, castaways on rafts like these are washed up on the shores of distant islands. If they're very lucky, this pair could become pioneers... and may establish a new population, which eventually becomes a new species, unlike anything seen before. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

Emerging from the vegetation is a female Zalmoxes, which turns towards him in surprise. Together, the pair look out to the open seas, then turn to each other, nuzzling. The segment ends with the two Zalmoxes continuing to look ahead of them, with the waters stretching out for miles around them, and the afternoon sun shining down on their raft.

Segment II: Tethyshadros and Hatzegopteryx[]

Hatzegopteryxes chase Tethyshadros into the forest
Hatzegopteryxes chase Tethyshadros into the forest

In the second segment of the episode, by the small islands of southern Europe, a herd of strange, elusive herbivores graze through a field of pine saplings. These creatures, known as Tethyshadros, are just a quarter of their mainland cousins, the adults standing no taller than a human being. For a moment, all is peaceful, with the herd foraging through the tough vegetation with their unique, serrated bills. But as the breeze blows, an air of unease takes hold of the island. One adult, sensing threats around, rears up and finds, to its horror, a flock of Hatzegopteryx coming down from the sky. The entire herd panics as the azhdarchids, numbering around four males and three females, land and gallop after them (with one of the hunters even grabbing a juvenile upon landing). Most of the herd's members rush to the safety of the forest, where the trees are too tightly-packed for their pursuers to come through, thwarting the pterosaurs and causing one male to bellow in frustration. Not all Tethyshadros have escaped to the safety of the woods, however, with three juveniles left hiding in the fields.

Female Hatzegopteryx tries to take a male's catch
Female Hatzegopteryx tries to take a male's catch
“ The youngsters' best hope is to stay completely still... and not to run. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

From the forest, the mother of the juveniles calls out to her children. Due to this, the predators realized that there are still some hadrosaurs out there that they can still hunt, prompting them to try and scour the clearing to flush out prey that might still be there, with the fearful juvenile hadrosaurs trying to stay completely still. As one male Hatzegopteryx approaches their hiding spot, one baby Tethyshadros panics and tries to run for the forest, with the rest following suit now that their cover is blown. One juvenile is promptly snatched up by the male Hatzegopteryx, while two other juvenile Tethyshadros make it back to their mother during the commotion. A female Hatzegopteryx tries to grab the male's hard-earned catch, only for the male to turn away and swallow the juvenile as the female continues to pester him.

The Hatzegopteryxes decide to leave
The Hatzegopteryxes decide to leave
“ These two are lucky to be back with their mother... the island-hopping pterosaurs move on to try their luck elsewhere. The hadrosaurs can return to feeding. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

After what appears to be a brief conversation via the clacking of beaks, the Hatzegopteryx males agree to leave for another island. One by one, they fly off to hunt elsewhere, with the last of the four males carrying yet another dead juvenile Tethyshadros in his beak. When all the azhdarchids have finally left, the Tethyshadros herd leave their forest sanctuary to continue grazing.

Segment III: Simosuchus and Majungasaurus[]

“ This is Simosuchus. It's not a dinosaur, but a miniature relative of crocodiles, one that lives almost entirely on land, and is strictly vegetarian. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

In the third segment of the episode, on Madagascar, a Simosuchus navigates through an area of plants. It is then shown that they live in a group. One Simosuchus reaches up to grab leaves that are out of reach by rearing up and standing on top of another, while some members of the group are shown simply basking under the sun, or sleeping in the shade, not too wary of predators given how their heavily-armored bodies make them feel more secure, unaware that, from afar, the region's apex predator is observing them.

“ Majungasaurus. Madagascar's top hunter. This particular female is blind in one eye. So she finds it hard to make a kill, and is now very hungry. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

The hunter, a female Majungasaurus appears to have dried blood and various wounds on her, and it is revealed that her left eye has gone blind. Due to her disability, she has found it difficult to hunt, and has thus gone very hungry. She finally decides to charge at the group of Simosuchus, causing them to run for the burrows they set up beforehand to escape from predators. One male Simosuchus ends up unable to find an unoccupied burrow, and is left to face the Majungasaurus.

“ The Simosuchus have a network of escape routes that lead them to their underground burrows. Once inside, they block the entrance with their heavily-armored backs. This little male is unlucky. But he's not helpless. Reverse charges, tail swipes, and aggressive kicks. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

With nowhere to run, the Simosuchus resorts to bluffing his way out of the situation, with reverse charges, kicks, hisses, and tail swipes, confusing and deterring the Majungasaurus long enough for the male to find a vacant burrow to rush for and hide in. The hunter tries to reach into the burrow, but it proves too narrow for her broad snout to fit in.

“ The hunter's snout is too broad to reach very far inside. But just to be on the safe side, the Simosuchus digs even deeper. For the Majungasaurus, yet another hunt has ended in failure. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

As a safety precaution, the Simosuchus digs himself even deeper, getting dirt all over the hunter's face. Dejected and left growling in frustration due to the failure to secure a meal, the Majungasaurus walks off. Once the hunter has left, the Simosuchus warily walks back out of its burrow, looking around to make sure there are no other threats around before moving on.

Segment IV: Adalatherium[]

“ Simosuchus is not the only evolutionary oddity to thrive on Madagascar. The island is also home to another group of very unusual animals... Mammals. This is a female Adalatherium. She's less than two feet long, but even so, she's still one of the largest mammals to have yet evolved. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

In the fourth segment of the episode, as the afternoon sun shines down on Madagascar, an Adalatherium travels across the land, making her way to a burrow obscured by the exposed roots of a tree.

“ She spends most of her waking hours searching for food. At the end of the tunnel, there are eggs, potentially a rich source of protein. But she doesn't eat this particular clutch. These are her own eggs, and this is her burrow. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

She comes across eggs within the den, and, sniffing them, she lies down and sleeps next to them, for these eggs are her own. The eggs hatch, and the juveniles, though born blind, sense where their mother is and feed on milk produced by modified sweat glands on her belly. In two months, the ten cubs have grown to more than four times their size, though still reliant on their mother's milk, so every night, she leaves the burrow to feed in order to be able to produce this nourishment. In the darkness, a serpentine figure watches her as she looks for sustenance, navigating the terrain decently, her acute hearing serving as compensation for her poor eyesight. She comes across the same injured, half-blind Majungasaurus that tried and failed to hunt some Simosuchus earlier in the day. In the presence of danger, the Adalatherium stays still to avoid getting noticed. Fortunately for the mammal, the theropod remained unaware of her presence, the Majungasaurus briefly sniffing the air before wandering off to continue looking for prey. When she is sure the predator is no longer around, she returns to digging the soil for roots and seeds to feed on.

“ The cubs are growing fast, and so are their appetites. The female is now having to search almost nonstop for food, so her cubs are left unguarded for hours at a time. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

In the morning, after they suck milk from her yet again, the mother leaves her cubs in the burrow to search for food. Just then, a Masiakasaurus, also seeking food, pokes its narrow head and long neck through holes that could potentially contain a meal. However, just as the Masiakasaurus stalks around the tree roots just outside the burrow, close to discovering the oblivious cubs, the snake from the night before lunges at the theropod's throat, subduing its victim with its muscular coils.

A Madtsoia lunges at a Masiakasaurus
A Madtsoia lunges at a Masiakasaurus
“ Madtsoia, a snake nearly 25 feet long, squeezes its prey to death. This neighborhood has now become rather dangerous. As night falls, the mother leads her young out of the burrow for the very first time. For now, at least, they must stay close together. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

Having bore witness to one potential predator kill and feed on another, just outside her burrow, the returning Adalatherium enters her den, settling down and letting her babies suckle on her. Deciding that the area has become too unsafe to live in, she moves out of the burrow and sets out for a better place to live in, her ten cubs following close behind. One of the cubs briefly looks back and finds the Madtsoia resting on a fallen tree branch, staring back at it. With this, the Adalatherium cub turns back around and continues to follow its mother as they leave the area.

Segment V: Imperobator and Morrosaurus[]

Snow Hill Formation, Antarctica
Snow Hill Formation, Antarctica
“ In the far south of the planet, on the islands of the Antarctic peninsula, winter brings months of freezing temperatures. Here, too, being part of a family brings benefits. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

In the fifth, penultimate segment of the episode, deep within a freezing hillside forest, a family of five Imperobators are viewed through a thermal camera. To get food for the pack and maintain the heat they have, three of them set off to find food. The three hunters travel downhill, the snow muffling the sounds of their feet, enabling to move undetected as they search for prey. In the forest, a lone Morrosaurus is seen struggling to forage for food through the snow, with the Imperobators slowly approaching it from the cover of the trees. Sensing their presence, the Morrosaurus immediately runs down the slope of the snowy hill, its hunters rushing out to pursue it.

The Imperobators chase the Morrosaurus across a frozen lake
The Imperobators chase the Morrosaurus across a frozen lake
“ The chase has reached the very edge of the forest. Beyond lies a frozen lake, half a mile wide. The clear, open space could give the faster Morrosaurus an advantage. But the frozen surface is treacherous. With the Imperobator closing in, it isn't much of a choice. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

Upon exiting the forest, the Morrosaurus is greeted by a frozen lake. While it can better use its superior speed in this open area to lose its pursuers, the elasmarian hesitates due to the possible dangers of frozen, slippery surface, which could potentially be fragile in some places. Left with no choice due to the hunters closing in on it, the ornithopod rushes across the frozen lake, the three theropods just right behind. Swinging its tail to shift its center of gravity, the Morrosaurus makes a tight turn, avoiding the jaws of one of the Imperobators in a nick of time, causing the hunter to slip as its two other packmates behind it continue the chase.

Imperobators after a failed hunt
Imperobators after a failed hunt
“ A misplaced step, a chance for the Morrosaurus to sprint beyond the predators' reach. But this is an island, so hunters and hunted will almost certainly meet again. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

As the Morrosaurus ultimately gets away, the two other Imperobators halt their pursuit. In frustration, one snaps in the direction of the Morrosaurus, likely insisting that the hunt be continued, while the other, just as exasperated, snaps back, forcing the other to flinch away. As vexing as the situation is for the theropods, it is clear that the hunt is over and their prey has evaded them, though only for that specific encounter. With nothing more that could be done about the matter, the Imperobators cut their losses and walk away.

Segment VI: Hatzegopteryx Courtship[]

A Hatzegopteryx begins building a symbolic nest to attract females
A Hatzegopteryx begins building a symbolic nest to attract females
“ Some islands are so small, that they have no large land-living residents. But they may nonetheless get visitors. Hatzegopteryx. This male has arrived carrying a 40-pound Tethyshadros carcass, a prize from a recent hunt. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

In the sixth and last segment of the episode, an older male Hatzegopteryx, sporting a brightly-colored crest of vibrant yellows and blues, lands on the island with an 18-kilogram (40-pound) juvenile Tethyshadros. However, he has not come here to enjoy this meal in peace. Instead, he surrounds his catch with wood picked up from the beach to form a ceremonial nest of sorts, spreading and flapping his massive wings over to entice passing females to mate with him.

A female is interested in the displays of the male
A female is interested in the displays of the male
“ He has constructed a display to make it clear to any females passing overhead that he is looking for a mate. But he might have a very long wait before he gets a response... at last, a female. She seems interested, but a little more persuasion might be necessary. And he needs to be careful. One well-aimed peck from her beak could quickly bring his mating season to an end. His display must demonstrate that he has the good genes that her young would do well to inherit. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

When one arrives, he lifts up the dead Tethyshadros to prove that he is a great hunter, and that he is also strong for having flown a great distance to bring the body there. While impress, simply proving his strength is not enough. To convince her some more, he displays his crest and courts the female with enticing grunts, clacks, and head movements, gestures that the female appears to reciprocate well. Following a synchronized dance where both of them repeatedly clack their beaks against each other softly and stare up at the sky, he seems to have established trust with the female.

Two Hatzegopteryx males fighting
Two Hatzegopteryx males fighting
“ Another male. He's much younger, but he could still be a rival. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

Suddenly, a younger male Hatzegopteryx, sporting the usual color scheme, lands down, and slowly approaches the couple. Enraged, the older male bellows and charges at the new arrival, catching the younger male completely off-guard and forcing him to slowly retreat. The older male aggressively snaps at him repeatedly and ends up grabbing his right wing. Grunting in pain, the younger male decides to back out and flies off, the older male bellowing at him to ensure that he does not return. In the chaos, the female flew off due to the commotion, with the old male believing that his chance is gone. Fortunately, the female returned, having seen the older male's successful assault as more proof of his eligibility.

“ She's back. Seeing off a potential rival might even be another point in his favor. He continues from where he left off. One last reminder of his strength... and this is his only contribution to fatherhood. It's all over in just a few seconds... but it's the start of the next generation of these giant flying hunters. Islands like this may only be small, but like countless others around the world, they bear witness to crucial moments in the lives of some of the most unusual creatures on the Prehistoric Planet. ”

― David Attenborough, Islands

After mating with the female in a relatively short span of time (with this being his only contribution to fatherhood), the female flies off as the male grooms himself and starts the courtship ritual again, ready to attract more females.

Uncovered Segment I: Could Giant Pterosaurs Really Hunt on the Ground?[]

Pterosaur wings stretched from the tip of their elongated fourth finger to the top of their hind leg
Pterosaur wings stretched from the tip of their elongated fourth finger to the top of their hind leg
“ One of the most interesting - because they are the most bizarre - are the azhdarchid pterosaurs, and to try and describe what an azhdarchid pterosaur is like is very difficult. They stand as tall as giraffes, they've got heads that may have been 2 meters long, wingspans of 10 meters... they're just some of the most bizarre things to have ever evolved on Earth. ”

― Dr. Mark Witton, Paleoartist & Paleontologist

This Uncovered segment, using footage of Quetzalcoatlus and Hatzegopteryx (alongside other pterosaurs in the series), brings special attention to what may be considered the weirdest of the pterosaurs, the azhdarchids. Despite their size, they are stated to be well-adapted for taking flight. The question at hand is why it is believed they can hunt on the ground.

Azhdarchid necks did not possess the proper adaptations to withstand skimming bodies of water to catch fish
Azhdarchid necks did not possess the proper adaptations to withstand skimming bodies of water to catch fish
“ The azhdarchid's wing is a skin membrane supported entirely by a super enlarged fourth finger. This skin membrane extended from the tip of that giant fourth finger all the way to the top of the hind leg. Azhdarchids were supremely adapted for covering great distance, but they weren't the kind of animals that were twisting and turning and making agile movements actually in flight. ”

― Dr. Darren Naish, Lead Scientific Consultant

As with all pterosaurs, azhdarchids have wings supported by an elongated fourth finger, with the membrane traveling from the tip of this finger to the top of the hind leg. While this gives them massive wings that allow them to traverse great distances, they were not agile enough to make flexible twists and turns in the air, so they could not have pursued other flying animals. The segment also tackles the prevalent idea of azhdarchids skimming the water to feed like the black skimmer, a type of seabird, pushing the lower jaws through the water to crash them into prey, able to withstand the forces generated with a neck built to absorb sudden impacts. Azhdarchids do not have any of the necessary adaptations to feed this way, and the strain of trying to do so would only end up breaking their necks.

Given their longer limbs, azhdarchids had strides superior to those of smaller pterosaurs
Given their longer limbs, azhdarchids had strides superior to those of smaller pterosaurs
“ These tracks show they held their limbs directly under their body, giving them an upright stance. Their feet were padded, and unlike the small pterosaurs, their long legs gave them an enormous stride. ”

― David Attenborough, Could Giant Pterosaurs Really Hunt on the Ground?

Without the capability to hunt aerial or aquatic prey, this meant that the only option left for azhdarchids is to hunt on the ground. The largest pterosaur tracks ever known, made 66 million years ago by a walking azhdarchid in South Korea, prove how efficiently they can move on the ground. Given their competent terrestrial walking ability, stork-like face, and throats half a meter (20 inches) wide, it is almost certain that they are predators that walked around and reached down to grab animals, with even human-sized creatures considered as viable prey. With this, while they are awe-inspiring in flight, azhdarchids can prove more impressive and terrifying on the ground.

Uncovered Segment II: What Else Lived Alongside The Dinosaurs?[]

“ During the age of the dinosaurs, spectacular species like this pachycephalosaur attract the most attention. But the prehistoric world was also home to a wide variety of other quite different species. ”

― David Attenborough, What Else Lived Alongside The Dinosaurs?

This Uncovered segment, using footage of Beelzebufo, Tuarangisaurus, Mosasaurus, several pterosaurs, and Adalatherium, focuses on the weird and wonderful animals that lived alongside - and not necessarily in the shadow of - the dinosaurs.

“ So what were some of the animals living alongside the dinosaurs? One of the most surprising was this. The biggest frog to have ever lived. ”

― David Attenborough, What Else Lived Alongside The Dinosaurs?

The first focus is Beelzebufo, the 'Devil Toad'. With its armored skull and backbone and a proportionally large head that gave it a strong bite force, Beelzebufo proved to be "a fearsome hunter, with an appearance to match", capable of going after prey the size of juvenile dinosaurs.

“ The oceans were dominated not by dinosaurs, but by marine reptiles. The largest were mosasaurs. These giant marine lizards could reach 50 feet in length, and weigh 15 tonnes. ”

― David Attenborough, What Else Lived Alongside The Dinosaurs?

The second to be shown are the marine reptiles. While Tuarangisaurus gets a brief appearance, the true focus of this part of the segment is Mosasaurus, the largest and most formidable member of its family, serving as proof that they were "the greatest marine predators of all time". But while they ruled the ocean, something else ruled the skies, the pterosaurs (usually and incorrectly known as "flying dinosaurs").

“ These were the very first animals with backbones to fly. Their wingspan ranged from 10 inches to an enormous 33 feet. The largest posed a deadly threat for even the most fearsome of dinosaurs. ”

― David Attenborough, What Else Lived Alongside The Dinosaurs?

The greatest of the pterosaurs were able to pose a threat to even the fiercest predatory dinosaurs, a case driven home by footage from North America showing a pair of Quetzalcoatlus driving a T. rex away. Overall, many of the impressive creatures during the time of the dinosaurs were very different from many animals today. However, some seemed a bit more familiar.

“ Despite people thinking that the Cretaceous was all about dinosaurs, there were tons of mammals. We find things that lived in the water, like beavers today. We see things that were running around in the trees and even gliding, and things that were living under the ground and digging into the soil. And you see mammals evolved a lot of characteristics related to being able to move around at night. ”

― Anjali Goswami, Research Leader, Palaeobiology

With their nocturnal adaptations, warm-blooded metabolism, and brains that gradually evolved to be bigger and more efficient, the mammals were able to survive the time of the dinosaurs, perhaps even owing them their existence for all the traits they evolved under pressure. Due to this, when the 150 million-year reign of the dinosaurs was finally ended by a massive meteor strike, mammals succeeded them as the dominant lifeform on Earth until the modern day.

Fauna[]

Main[]

Uncovered[]

Scrapped[]

Trivia[]

References[]

Dr. Darren Naish[]

  1. ↑ The mosasaur in the first segment of Islands is Prognathodon.
  2. ↑ There was a prop made for Mahajangasuchus, which was originally planned to be shown attacking the Majungasaurus seen in Islands, being responsible for its injuries, though this plan was abandoned due to limitations like time and manpower constraints.

Prehistoric Planet[]

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast, Episode 443: Dinosaurs on Islands. Featuring Prehistoric Planet 2

External Links[]

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