Ep 26. Where the Dinosaurs Are

In the season finale of Dino Dan, we find our young amateur paleontologist Dan Henderson on a mission to find the perfect spot to have a picnic with his family, but not without encountering some prehistoric creatures along the way.

Dan, with his trusty dino guide Trek, is on the hunt for a location remote enough to avoid any unwanted human interruption but with enough foliage and open space to make the perfect picnic spot. They come across a lush plain that seems to fit the bill and begin setting up camp. However, it doesn't take long before they discover they're not alone in this lush meadow.

Trek picks up on the scent of something nearby. Dan and Trek locate a small stream, which is the water source for the creatures, and, to their surprise, they discover a herd of Triceratops grazing nearby. Dan is ecstatic to have stumbled onto this incredible find, but as they get closer, they hear a loud, menacing roar.

Dan and Trek quickly realize that they have wandered into Carnivore territory. The herd of Triceratops has unwittingly drawn the attention of their hungry neighbors, the Allosaurus, who are always on the lookout for a meal. Dan explains to his little sister who has also tagged along that they must be very quiet and calm not to startle either species.

As they observe the two species, Dan notices that the Triceratops, despite their natural armor, are still very skittish and on edge. He then comes up with a theory that the nearby volcano, Mount Sibo, could be on the verge of eruption, triggering the increased aggression and anxiety in the herbivore's behavior.

Dan recalls how he had studied previous volcanic eruptions from his school readings and that animals can somehow sense a disaster before it happens. He decides to investigate and share his theory with his parents and sister. They agree to take a closer look, and the family brings along a wide array of tools and instruments to measure the seismic activity in the area.

As they navigate their way up to Mount Sibo, they encounter various challenges, from steep inclines to dangerous rocks, and even quicksand caused by the nearby volcano. Once they get there, they notice that steam is now emanating from the volcano, and there are signs of minor quakes. But something else Dan noticed was how the dinosaurs, both herbivores, and carnivores seem to be moving up the mountain as well.

Dan and his family quickly realize that they must leave before the condition worsens to a life-threatening situation. As they head down the mountain, they come across a stagnant river, and they quickly set aside their equipment to run quickly as the river begins flowing quickly, signaling that the volcano is erupting.

As they rush to escape from the area, they come across the herd of Triceratops from earlier on the journey, and they notice that they too seem to be rushing away from the eruption. Dan hypothesizes that the Triceratops could have known all along that the impending disaster was on the horizon, and their quick exit proved that they were prepared. As Dan and his family return home, they recount the adventure and know that they have even more to learn about these majestic animals and the world they inhabited.

Dino Dan Season 1 Episode 26 revolves around family time and the importance of learning to appreciate the natural world and the creatures that live in it. The episode acts as a perfect culmination of the series, highlighting the various adventures, Dan's experiences as an amateur paleontologist who loves learning and the important lessons learned along the way.