You are in the volcanic forested lands of South Africa, 195 million years ago.

The sun was high over the arid plains of what is now the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The landscape was dry and unforgiving, characterized by seasonal dryness and dominated by harsh-looking plants like cycads and conifers. Despite this, dozens of long-necked Vulcanodons and the smaller Massospondylus wander about, grazing and picking up vegetation with their broad, spade-shaped teeth.

Just then, you spot movement. Scampering around the mighty feet of the Vulcanodons, as they browse through the trees, was a creature no bigger than a large fox, moving on two remarkably long, agile legs. Its long tail balanced its body, which was covered in fine, hair-like bristles or quills, giving it a somewhat shaggy, almost bird-like appearance. You quickly identified it as a Heterodontosaurus, for a good reason.

As the little dinosaur moves closer towards your spot by a tree one of the Vulcanodons have been feeding from, it picks up a fallen pine with its dexterous fingers with incredible speed. You can spot its front teeth, sharp and ideal for nipping leaves, but as it looked up, you saw the true anomaly: a pair of sharp, formidable canine-like fangs nestled in its jaw. It begins chewing on the pine, making use of these teeth to crack it open and nibble the contents inside.

The creature suddenly froze, its large eyes locking onto you with a surprisingly loud chuff. It was incredibly territorial and short-tempered. It gave a sharp, grinding hiss—a mixture of a hiss and a pig-like grunt—and flared its cheeks.