| Eocenes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also known as: | Saurornithoides sapiens |
| Planet of Origin: | Earth |
| Biological Type: | Reptile |
| First Appearance: | Inspector Spacetime and the Case of the Eocenes |
Talk Page 
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The Eocenes, also known as Saurornithoides sapiens, were a sapient species of Earth dinosaur who were active from 56 to 33.9 million years BCE. After the Eocene–Oligocene extinction event, their survivors attempted to escape to other habitable worlds.
Appearances
"Inspector Spacetime and the Case of the Eocenes"
An Eocene technician from their first appearance in 1969
One such refugee group arrives on the colony planet Greater Britain in the 23rd Century and are mistaken for a hostile alien invasion by the local Humans. Luckily, the Third Inspector is able to intercede and assists them with their navigation, sending them to the Epsilon Eridani star system where they are able to co-exist peacefully with the inhabitants of its main planet.
"The Starveling World"/"The Earth Bites Back"
A new-series Eocene from their 2009 appearance
In the year 3020 CE, a hibernating clan of Eocenes waiting out the extinction event in deep space reawakens and returns to Earth. They discover, however, that despite global warming, humanity is painfully adapting to the new environment. Since vegetation has been depleted across the planet, they decide to genetically engineer themselves into carnivores—with mankind as their main food supply. It's up to the Eleventh Inspector to confine them to the island of Madagascar where they can safely hunt cloned Brachiosauri, Parasaurolophi, Stegosauri, etc.
"The 1981 Inspector Spacetime Holiday Special"
A recurring Eocene character named Ravaas appears in the Christmas 2011 episode, returning in Series 7, travelling with his human husband and his Rostraan gardener, Stalx.
Trivia
- The Eocenes' first appearance is the sole case in the series' history of an on-air serial title beginning "Inspector Spacetime and the Case of…", a format otherwise reserved for Inspector Spacetime novelisations.
- The Eocene scientist in "The Starveling World" does a passable impression of Jeff Goldblum's character in the film Jurassic Park, e.g. "If there is one thing the history of evolution has taught us it's that life breaks free, uh…, expands to new territories, and crashes through barriers, uh… painfully, maybe even dangerously. I'm simply saying that life must uh… find a way."; "Creator help us, we're in the hands of genetic engineers."; and "Boy, do I hate being wrong all the time."