Paleontology Could Spinosaurus swim? The fierce dinosaur ignites debate An upcoming Jurassic World cameo fuels ongoing controversy about this utterly strange dinosaur The debate roils on about a swimming Spinosaurus, as illustrated here, even as the fierce dinosaur gets back in the spotlight thanks to the latest Jurassic World movie. Davide Bonadonna By Carolyn Gramling 18 seconds ago Scene: A small patrol boat cruises through the water, just offshore of an island somewhere in the Caribbean. Cue the pounding drums, movie-trailer speak for danger approaching. Enter: Spinosaurus. Three large spiny sails slice through the cerulean sea and begin to circle the boat. The water roils. “What the hell are those!?” a passenger asks with trepidation. Cut to: Another passenger clinging precariously to the rigging as the boat lists. Suddenly, one of the spiny-sailed terrors surges from the ocean, jaws snapping. Sign up for our newsletter We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.