Overview#
Prehistoric Fauna is a comprehensive overhaul mod that focuses on paleontological accuracy and immersive time travel. Unlike many dinosaur mods that simply add creatures to the Overworld, Prehistoric Fauna introduces distinct dimensions representing specific geological formations. Players can explore the Triassic Ischigualasto, the Jurassic Morrison and Kayenta, and the Cretaceous Hell Creek and Djadochta formations. Each dimension features unique ecosystems, weather patterns, and a food web consisting of over 30 accurately modeled species.
Dimensions and Time Travel#
To access the prehistoric worlds, players must construct portals using specific materials and activate them with a Time Totem corresponding to the desired era.
Portal Construction
Portals are built in a 4x5 vertical frame (similar to a Nether portal) using the following blocks:
- Ischigualasto (Triassic): Ischigualasto Sandstone
- Morrison (Jurassic): Morrison Sandstone
- Kayenta (Jurassic): Kayenta Sandstone
- Hell Creek (Cretaceous): Hell Creek Sandstone
- Djadochta (Cretaceous): Djadochta Sandstone
Time Totems
Once the frame is built, it must be ignited with a Time Totem. These are crafted using a Clock surrounded by materials specific to the era (e.g., Gold Ingots for Triassic, Emeralds for Jurassic, and Diamonds for Cretaceous).
Cretaceous Mobs (Hell Creek & Djadochta)#
The Cretaceous formations represent the peak of dinosaur evolution, featuring the most famous species.
| Mob | Health | Behavior | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrannosaurus rex | 100 | Apex Predator; Aggressive | Raw Tyrannosaurus Meat, T-Rex Tooth |
| Triceratops horridus | 80 | Neutral; Defensive in herds | Raw Triceratops Meat, Triceratops Horn |
| Ankylosaurus | 100 | Neutral; Heavy armor | Raw Ankylosaurus Meat, Bone Shards |
| Velociraptor | 14 | Aggressive; Pack hunters | Raw Velociraptor Meat, Feathers |
| Dakotaraptor | 40 | Aggressive; Fast hunter | Raw Dakotaraptor Meat, Feathers |
| Protoceratops | 20 | Passive/Neutral | Raw Protoceratops Meat |
| Edmontosaurus | 60 | Passive; Large herbivore | Raw Edmontosaurus Meat |
Tyrannosaurus Rex: The apex predator of Hell Creek. It will attack almost any other creature and the player. It has a powerful bite that can inflict the 'Bleeding' status effect.
Triceratops: A massive herbivore that is generally peaceful unless provoked. If one member of a herd is attacked, the entire group will charge the threat.
Jurassic Mobs (Morrison & Kayenta)#
The Jurassic dimensions are characterized by giant sauropods and iconic plated dinosaurs.
| Mob | Health | Behavior | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allosaurus | 60 | Aggressive; Large predator | Raw Allosaurus Meat, Allosaurus Claw |
| Stegosaurus | 80 | Neutral; Tail swipe attack | Raw Stegosaurus Meat, Stegosaurus Plate |
| Camarasaurus | 160 | Passive; Massive sauropod | Raw Camarasaurus Meat, Large Bones |
| Ceratosaurus | 40 | Aggressive; Medium predator | Raw Ceratosaurus Meat, Horn Fragment |
| Dryosaurus | 15 | Skittish; Fast runner | Raw Dryosaurus Meat |
| Dilophosaurus | 30 | Aggressive; Venomous spit | Raw Dilophosaurus Meat |
Stegosaurus: Recognizable by its plates and thagomizer. It uses its tail to defend itself, dealing high knockback and damage.
Triassic Mobs (Ischigualasto)#
The Triassic period features the ancestors of dinosaurs and various mammal-like reptiles (Cynodonts).
- Herrerasaurus: One of the earliest carnivorous dinosaurs. Fast and dangerous in the early game.
- Ischigualastia: A large, bulky dicynodont herbivore. It is passive but has high health.
- Exaeretodon: A cynodont that behaves similarly to a modern pig or cow, providing a reliable food source.
- Saurosuchus: A massive terrestrial crocodilian that acts as the apex predator of the Triassic dimension.
- Chromogisaurus: A small, agile basal sauropodomorph.
Flora and Paleobotany#
The mod adds a wide variety of extinct plants and trees that define the prehistoric landscape. These can be harvested for wood, decoration, or used as breeding food for herbivores.
Trees
- Araucaria: Tall, coniferous trees found in the Jurassic and Cretaceous.
- Ginkgo: Distinctive fan-shaped leaves; provides a unique yellow wood type.
- Metasequoia: A redwood-like tree common in Hell Creek.
- Prototaxites: Giant fungal structures found in older formations.
- Zamites: A type of cycadophyte.
Plants
- Cycads: Essential for breeding many herbivorous dinosaurs.
- Cooksonia: Small, primitive plants found near water.
- Williamsonia: A shrub-like plant with flower-like reproductive structures.
Items and Tools#
Paleontology Tools
- Geology Hammer: Used to efficiently mine fossiliferous blocks.
- Paleontology Table: A specialized workstation used to clean fossils found in the dimensions. Cleaning fossils can yield DNA, ancient items, or bone meal.
Materials
- Dinosaur Bones: Dropped by various mobs; can be crafted into bone tools or bone meal.
- Dinosaur Meat: Most dinosaurs drop meat that can be cooked. Some meats provide unique buffs (e.g., Tyrannosaurus meat provides Strength).
| Item | Usage |
|---|---|
| Fossiliferous Sandstone | Mined in the Overworld to get fossils |
| DNA Flask | Obtained from the Paleontology Table (used in future updates for cloning) |
| Thagomizer | Rare drop from Stegosaurus; used as a powerful melee weapon |
Mechanics#
Breeding and Growth
Dinosaurs in Prehistoric Fauna do not follow standard Minecraft breeding rules.
- Feeding: Herbivores are bred using specific prehistoric plants (Cycads, Ferns). Carnivores are often bred using specific meats.
- Eggs: Most dinosaurs will lay eggs after breeding. These eggs must be placed on a suitable block (usually sand or mulch) and kept safe from predators to hatch.
- Growth: Hatchlings are very small and vulnerable. They will grow over several Minecraft days into their adult forms.
Fossil Cleaning
Players can find Fossiliferous blocks in the Overworld or within the prehistoric dimensions. Placing these in a Paleontology Table starts a cleaning process. This is the primary way to obtain rare materials and the DNA required for advanced mod features.
Blocks and Geology#
The mod introduces a variety of geological blocks that make up the prehistoric dimensions:
- Siltstone & Mudstone: Common sedimentary rocks found in riverbeds and floodplains.
- Sandstone Variants: Each formation has its own unique sandstone (Ischigualasto, Morrison, etc.), which is required for portal frames.
- Fossiliferous Blocks: These contain the remains of ancient life. They appear as standard stone or sandstone with visible bone fragments.
- Prehistoric Soil: Includes variants like Loam and Packered Earth, which support the growth of extinct flora.
