[For a game scenario] Given what we know about its anatomy, what is the likelihood that a spinosaurus would be an ambush predator?
Hello, all! It seems like we learn something new about spinosaurus approximately every other week, so I know that the answer may be “we don’t know.” I also acknowledge that this may be common knowledge, but I’m not sure and figured I’d ask folks that know more than I do.
For context, I’m writing a scenario for D&D that involves players making their way through a prehistoric world. Plenty of dinosaurs afoot. And while I know that in D&D, the answer is always “you can do whatever you want,” the inner scientist in me still wants to be fairly scientifically accurate in animal behavior.
To that end, I was planning on one obstacle presented to the players being a somewhat large body of water in a wetland area, and this would be a potential encounter for a spinosaurus. In my head, I see it being a challenge of 1. noticing that there’s a predator in the area, and 2. deciding whether or not to engage it in combat. But from what we know, would a spinosaurus actually be an ambush predator, like a modern alligator?
Given its semi-aquatic physiology, it seems like a reasonable strategy for a spinosaurus. But I don’t know that. What do y’all think?
Thanks for any insight! I’m also curious just because I like dinosaurs, but I’m wanting to try to make this game scenario at least somewhat plausible.