The Jurassic period, spanning from 201 to 145 million years ago, was an era in Earth’s history dominated by reptiles like dinosaurs and flying pterosaurs. With giant predators roaming the land and seas, you may wonder if modern humans could survive being transported back to this prehistoric time.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: it’s highly unlikely that humans could survive for long in the Jurassic period without modern technology and knowledge of the ecosystem and climate at the time.
In this approximately 3000 word article, we will explore in depth the climate, flora, fauna, and environmental conditions of the Jurassic to evaluate humankind’s odds of enduring extended exposure to this ancient world.
Climate and Atmosphere
Hot and Humid
The Jurassic period was characterized by a warm, humid climate overall. Average global temperatures are estimated to have been around 10°C higher than today, with significantly less temperature variation between the equator and poles.
Carbon dioxide levels were also much higher, at around 4 times pre-industrial levels, helping to trap heat in the atmosphere.
With higher heat and humidity, there was likely increased rainfall and storm activity. The warm, wet conditions created lush jungles and swamps in many areas, especially across what is now North America and Europe.
For example, fossil evidence shows massive conifer forests covered much of what is modern day Europe. The increased vegetation contributed even more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere through rotting and fermentation.
The consistently balmy climate enabled many dinosaurs to thrive across the globe, along with amphibians, early mammals, and the first birds. Of course, humans living in the Jurassic would have found the muggy heat quite uncomfortable and limiting at times.
Access to water and shade would have been crucial for survival.
Elevated CO2 Levels
CO2 levels during the Jurassic were approximately 1000 ppm (parts per million), compared to 280 ppm during pre-industrial times. This enriched atmosphere was caused by rampant vulcanism that pumped out gases, combined with decomposing plant matter in wet tropical environments.
These high CO2 levels came with mixed consequences. On the positive side, the atmosphere could hold more moisture, contributing to the increased precipitation and lush vegetation of the period. Plants also benefitted directly from more available carbon.
However, the greenhouse effect was strengthened, compounding the heat. Estimates suggest a cooling of 6°C can be attributed to falling CO2 from the Jurassic to modern times.
For humans, the elevated CO2 could have directly impacted health and cognition. High concentrations are known to cause symptoms like headache, drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating in modern indoor spaces [1].
Hunting, gathering, and other tasks would certainly be more challenging with impaired focus and physical distress. On the other hand, the abundance of plant food sources could have meant less dependence on hunting overall.
Flora and Landscapes
Abundant Ferns and Conifers
The Jurassic landscape was dominated by an abundance of ferns and conifers. Ferns thrived in the warm, wet climate and grew to tremendous sizes compared to modern varieties. The tree ferns had thick trunks and fronds that could reach over 30 feet tall!
Conifers like pine, cypress, and redwood trees formed vast forests across the continents. It’s astonishing to envision giant redwoods dotted across Europe and Asia when today they only grow along North America’s Pacific coast.
Researchers have found an incredible diversity of plant species through fossil evidence from the Jurassic, especially ferns and conifers. In fact, botanists have identified nearly 350 extinct species of conifers and almost 1,000 species of now-extinct ferns (American Museum of Natural History).
With warmer temperatures and higher rainfall compared to prior eras, the Jurassic landscape was like a giant greenhouse for ancient plants to thrive!
Widespread Swamps and Wetlands
Along with forests, the Jurassic Earth had expansive wetlands, swamps, and marshlands. These soggy habitats covered large portions of the supercontinent Pangaea. The extremely warm and humid climate promoted big inland seas and floodplains with meandering rivers and streams.
Wetland regions were filled with ponds, bogs, and coastline habitats that were perfect environments for ancient fauna like amphibians and early dinosaurs. Based on fossil evidence, some regions were over 60% swampland! Can you imagine over half the landscape being a primordial bayou?
Talk about squelchy terrain for early land creatures to trek across!
Fauna and Megafauna
Large Archosaur Predators
During the Jurassic period, some of the largest predatory dinosaurs roamed the land. The theropods were a group of large, bipedal dinosaurs that included famous predators like Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor.
However, during the Jurassic, earlier theropod groups dominated, including the fearsome Allosaurs and Ceratosaurs.
The Allosaurs were the apex predators of the Late Jurassic, growing over 12 meters long and armed with sharp, serrated teeth. The largest allosaur, Saurophaganax, likely weighed over 3 tons. With their large size and deadly bite, allosaurs would have been extremely dangerous predators to early humans.
Even armed with primitive weapons, humans would have struggled against these giant killers.
In contrast, the Ceratosaurs were earlier Jurassic theropods, tending to be more moderately sized but still quite formidable. Some genera like Ceratosaurus grew to 6-8 meters long and preyed upon giant herbivores.
Early humans would have served nicely as small prey items for opportunistic ceratosaurs. Only with fire, traps, and numbers on their side would humans have survived ceratosaur encounters.
Giant Marine Reptiles
While the land teemed with giant dinosaurs, the oceans of the Jurassic were also prowled by giant marine predators. The marine reptiles ruled Jurassic seas, growing to enormous sizes. The largest marine predators included the Pliosauroids and Plesiosaurs.
The primitive Pliosauroids were massive predators, growing over 15 meters long in genera like Liopleurodon. With huge jaws full of teeth, these reptiles would have preyed on anything they could catch, including early humans if given the chance.
Only smart strategy and avoidance of marine environments would have prevented human losses to these sea monsters.
The later Plesiosaurs were also giant marine reptiles, though often specializing in hunting fish and squid. Genera like Elasmosaurus had extremely long necks perfect for snatching prey. While less actively predatory toward humans, their huge size still would have made them dangerous.
Accidental collisions or capsized boats could easily lead to human deaths. Maintaining healthy fear and distance would have been key to marine survival.
Survival Challenges
Few Edible Plants
If humans were transported back to the Jurassic period, finding edible plants to eat would be a major challenge. During the Jurassic, vascular plants were just beginning to diversify, so edible options would be very limited compared to the abundance of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts we enjoy today.
The Jurassic landscape was dominated by ferns, conifers, ginkgoes and cycads – not very appetizing or nutritious choices for human consumption.
According to paleobotanical studies, there were no grasses or legumes at this time, so staple crops like wheat, rice, beans and lentils were completely absent. With no cereals or pulses as protein sources, malnutrition would be a serious concern.
Foraging for edible roots, berries, seeds and leaves would require extensive knowledge of which varieties were non-toxic. Accidentally ingesting something poisonous could be fatal with no medical facilities available.
Overall, the lack of recognizable produce would make finding sufficient calories and nutrition a daily struggle.
Lack of Shelter
Humans transported to the Jurassic would face the dual problems of exposure and lack of secure shelter. With no human-made structures and only primitive tools available, simply constructing basic huts or tents for protection would be challenging.
Natural caves would provide an option, but competition with other dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures for these shelters could be dangerous. Furthermore, caves do not offer protection against the elements like severe storms, flooding or heatwaves – which could be deadly without climate-controlled housing.
Without any form of insulation, blankets or temperature regulation, Jurassic nights could be freezing. Daytime temperatures likely often exceeded 100°F. Humans without air conditioning, heating or even clothing specifically designed for extreme temperatures would constantly battle the elements.
Building some form of permanent shelter from scratch would require great ingenuity and survival skills. According to archeological evidence, even simple mud huts took ancient humans thousands of years to invent. Surviving long-term without durable, secure housing would be extremely difficult.
No Immunity to Toxins and Parasites
Another major threat to human survival in the Jurassic period would be lack of immunity to prehistoric toxins, bacteria and parasites. Modern humans have built up genetic resistance to many infectious diseases over millennia, but these defenses would be totally ineffective against Jurassic microbes our immune systems had never encountered.
Something as simple as drinking contaminated water could make us gravely ill without modern purification methods.
It’s likely that many latent zoonotic viruses harmful to Homo sapiens were circulating during the Jurassic among dinosaurs and early mammals. Without medicines like antibiotics and vaccines, exposure to unfamiliar germs could rapidly prove deadly.
Parasites like ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and tapeworms would also flourish, spreading diseases. Additionally, with large predatory dinosaurs abundant, the risk of wounds prone to infection was high. Altogether, the lack of developed immunity to Jurassic toxins and microbes would make survival tenuous.
Could Modern Humans Adapt?
Technological Aids Needed
Modern humans would face immense challenges adapting to the Jurassic period without the aid of technology. The Jurassic landscape was dominated by giant dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures that could easily prey on humans.
To survive, humans would need to rely on tools and weapons for hunting, shelter, and protection.
Fire would be an essential technology for light, warmth, cooking food, and warding off predators. Simple spears, bows and arrows, and other handmade weapons would help humans hunt for food and defend themselves. Clothing made from animal skins and natural materials could protect against the elements.
Humans would also need to build sturdy shelters in inaccessible areas to avoid dinosaur attacks.
With some cleverness and ingenuity, humans could eventually domesticate certain dinosaur species for transportation and food production. But without modern technologies like electricity, advanced medicine, and mass food production, it would be an epic struggle for humans to adapt and endure in the Jurassic period.
Forming Alliances with Local Species
Surviving in the Jurassic period would require forming strategic alliances with other species that inhabited the landscape. Since humans would initially lack the size, speed, and natural weapons of many dinosaurs, befriending certain species could help provide protection, resources, and information about the environment.
Smaller herbivorous dinosaurs like stegosaurus and triceratops could make good allies, as humans could remove parasites and bring them food treats in exchange for protection. Befriending flying pterosaurs could enable aerial scouting for dangers or new resources.
Even some smaller carnivorous species like velociraptors could potentially be trained and domesticated if humans raised them from eggs.
Studying dinosaur social behaviors and communication methods would enable humans to integrate themselves into the web of local species relationships. Mimicking dinosaur vocalizations, using scents, and understanding visual displays would help facilitate trust and cooperation.
Forming strong inter-species alliances would significantly increase humans’ odds of adapting successfully during the challenging Jurassic period.
Conclusion
While humans are intelligent and adaptable, the Jurassic period’s hot climate, alien ecosystem and towering predators would make long-term survival very difficult without modern tools and knowledge. A human community transported back in time could potentially eke out an existence using their wits and maintaining low visibility, but life expectancy would be greatly reduced compared to the modern era.
