'Jurassic Park’s Velociraptor Calls: The Bizarre Sounds of Mating Tortoises

Some of the dinosaur noises in Jurassic Park came from surprisingly unusual sources. Sound designer Gary Rydstrom revealed that the iconic velociraptor calls were actually recorded from tortoises mating.

While working at Marine World, an animal theme park in California, Rydstrom was advised by staff to capture the sounds of a couple of tortoises "getting frisky" to create the raptors' communicative barks. He described it as "somewhat embarrassing," but the resulting noises perfectly conveyed the eerie and unsettling calls of the prehistoric predators.

However, tortoises weren’t the only animals whose sounds were repurposed for the film. Horses' breathing, dolphins' squeals, and geese's hisses were also incorporated to craft the rich and varied soundscape that brought the dinosaurs vividly to life.

These inventive techniques showcase the creativity and resourcefulness behind the film's sound design, transforming ordinary animal noises into the terrifying roars and calls of creatures that have been extinct for millions of years. It's a testament to how sound plays a crucial role in immersing audiences in the world of Jurassic Park.