Rex is a major recurring character from the ITV science fiction cult series Primeval.

Characteristics

Coelurosauravus are roughly iguana sized lizard-like diapsid reptiles native to the Permian period. It has specialized wing-like structures allowing it to glide. These were rod-like structures with skin stretched over them; this features is unique to this genus. The average length of the specimens were 30 cm (although Rex is portrayed as roughly twice this size) and the body was long and flat, suitable for its gliding nature.

History

Rex is the first creature seen in the series. He is discovered in the Forest of Dean by a young boy, Ben, who contacts the zoo where Abby Maitland is working. When she arrives at the boy's home he suggests he may be the modern gliding lizard Draco volans, but Abby discredits this theory, saying the child may have discovered a new species.

The two journey into the Forest of Dean to see if they can find out more about Rex where they discover a dead cow lodged in a tree. When Rex runs away from Abby she follows him and becomes separated from the boy. In the process of trying to recapture Rex she discovers that he can fly, or at least glide very well. The others find Rex shortly after discovering the Scutosaurus.^[1]

When Nick Cutter goes through the Forest of Dean time anomaly, he tries to take Rex with him, but Rex sneaks back through shortly before the anomaly closes and is taken home, secretly, by Abby and kept as a pet. In Episode 5, he escapes Abby's flat and follows Connor to an anomaly site, where he gets chased by a pterosaur and escapes into the forest. He is soon found by Abby and Connor. By the end of season 1, Rex seems to have clearly latched onto his two new owners as they have to him. Connor even calls himself Rex's "daddy".