Oils Ain't Oils

How Oil Brought Dinosaurs to Life: Behind the Scenes of Animatronic Giants

When it comes to creating lifelike, roaring, stomping dinosaurs for the big screen, it’s not all rubber and robotics—oil played a starring role behind the scenes.

From the towering T-Rex to the horned Triceratops, the largest animatronic creatures relied heavily on hydraulic systems powered by oil-based fluids. These complex setups used pressurized oil to drive pistons and actuators, giving the dinosaurs eerily realistic movement in their limbs, jaws, and torsos.

Powering Prehistoric Giants

Take the full-scale T-Rex, for example—it operated using over a dozen hydraulic rams, generating thousands of pounds of pressure, all made possible by hydraulic oil. These systems demanded constant upkeep: regular oil changes, pressure checks, and leak repairs were crucial to keeping the beasts moving smoothly and safely.

Lubrication for Lifelike Motion

To prevent mechanical wear and overheating, the inner skeletons of the animatronics were frequently lubricated. Silicone- and petroleum-based lubricants were applied to joints and hinges—especially high-friction zones like necks and tails—to ensure natural, fluid articulation.

The “Wet Look”: Creating Life with Oil and Shine

Realism didn’t stop at movement. For that glistening, “alive” look, especially in jungle or rain-drenched scenes, crews used a mix of glycerin, mineral oil, and silicone spray. These were applied to the latex or silicone dinosaur skins to simulate sweat, rain, or slime—particularly memorable in the iconic T-Rex paddock scene, where oil-based sprays were reapplied constantly to keep the creature shimmering under the storm effects.

Cleaning the Creatures

Of course, with all that oil and grime, specialty degreasers and cleaning agents were essential for keeping the animatronics both safe and functional between takes.

Bonus Fact:

Stan Winston’s legendary effects team went even further for Jurassic Park III. The Spinosaurus featured an upgraded hydraulic system with built-in fail-safes to prevent oil leaks—a smart innovation after the original T-Rex animatronic had suffered from water damage and fluid issues during intense rain scenes.

Whether it was for motion, shine, or sheer function, oil and fluid engineering were the hidden forces behind some of cinema’s most unforgettable dinosaurs. Without them, the magic of these prehistoric stars just wouldn’t have roared to life.