Prehistoric Park Wiki

Attention Monobook Users
Prehistoric Park Wiki has not been coded to fully support Monobook. Some elements of the wiki may not display correctly when using the theme.
It is recommended that you switch to Oasis.

READ MORE

Prehistoric Park Wiki
Arthropleura
Biological information
Time period : Late Carboniferous period
Lifestyle : Herbivore
In the series
Brought back : One male named Ben
Appearances : "The Bug House"

Arthropleura (name meaning "Jointed ribs") was a genus of giant herbivorous millipede. It grew to around 6 feet in length, due in part to the high oxygen levels of the Carboniferous period, which allowed this creature, as well as many other contemporary arthropods, to grow to such large sizes. Many fossilized footprints from Arthropleura can been found on the coast of Scotland. By current estimates, it is the largest known land invertebrate discovered to date, and as such, it would have had few predators.

Portrayal in the series[]

To be added...

In Prehistoric Park[]

"The Bug House"[]

Nigel first sees an Arthropleura standing on its tail. Nigel tries to catch it, but it escapes. Nigel sees what he thinks are the same tracks he saw on the Scottish island of Arron.

Nigel sees a forest fire so he carries the Pulmonoscorpius in the cage and sees a couple of creatures escaping from the fire. Nigel tripped on something, but it was no ordinary fallen log... It was another Arthropleura. Nigel realized that the giant centipede buried itself in the leaves cause it felt the heat, but the Arthropleura is going to be burned alive, unless Nigel can save it. Nigel leaves cause he'll be back with something. He comes out, pounces and wraps the Arthropleura and one of Nigel's crew members ties the Arthropleura so it won't escape. Nigel opens the portal and ties the jeep to a rope and a Titanosaur pulls the jeep back to the park. Bob than rewards the Titanosaur a rock, just the way how to say "thank you". Everyone hugs Nigel as he rescued 3 giant Carboniferous arthropods from the forest fire.

PP Arthropleura

Back at the Insect House, Bob is checking up on the new arrivals. Bob sees the Pulmonoscorpius and the Meganeura and finally sees the Arthropleura named Ben. Bob said that the Arthropleura is actually a vegetarian, "I'm really rather fond of him. I thinks it's because he's big. He's not like any wiggly, little spider or something that creeps up behind you, like a proper animal."

Production[]

Prehistoric Planet Arhtropleura head sculpt

The head sculpt of the Arthropleura animatronic

Arthropleura animatronic mandibles

A close-up of the individual ant-like mandible

Denver Fowler -the specialist researcher for Prehistoric Park- revealed exclusive behind-the-scenes production images of the life-size Arthropleura from its sculpting phase, on his Twitter.

Ant mandibles reference image

The reference image used for sculpting the mandibles.

Since at the time there were few or no good Arthropleura fossils of the body, and none preserving the head, they choose to base the mandible shapes on those of ants.[1] Dr. Denver Fowler sent a reference image to the sculptors, showcasing the jagged mandibles and their cutting edges in detail. The lack of known fossils provided some level of artistic liberty for speculation to be employed, and the use of such scary mandibles was good for dramatic effect. the reasoning for choosing Ant mandibles as a basis was their ability to cut through tough plant matter.[2]

Trivia[]

References[]