In a remarkable twist of fate, the remains of a juvenile T. rex were discovered by three young boys during a casual hike in the North Dakota Badlands. This happened back in July 2022, however, the T. rex is finally going on display in 2024! The trio, consisting of Sam Fisher’s sons, Jessin, 12, and Liam, 9, along with their cousin Kaiden Madsen, 11, stumbled upon the rare fossil.
According to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the boys were on a simple hike when they made the extraordinary find. The T-rex is going to be displayed in Colorado! Talk about good luck!
The Journey of Teen Rex From Discovery to Excavation and Display
Upon discovering the fossil, Sam Fisher contacted Tyler Lyson, a former high school classmate and the museum’s curator of paleontology. In the summer of 2023, Lyson, accompanied by the boys and his team of paleontologists, returned to the site to excavate the fossil. The process took a year due to the need for an excavation permit from the land’s manager. Lyson went on to praise the brilliance of Fisher and his kids in the following words:
“By going outside and embracing their passions and the thrill of discovery, these boys have made an incredible dinosaur discovery that advances science and deepens our understanding of the natural world.”
Determining the Size and Age of the Teenage T. rex
The team of paleontologists determined that the fossil belonged to a juvenile T. rex by analyzing its bone structure and growth patterns. The tibia of the specimen measures 82 cm, suggesting that it was a teenager compared to a full-grown T. rex with a 112 cm long tibia. The paleontologists estimate that the “Teen Rex” weighed 3,500 pounds, stood 10 feet tall, and was 25 feet long at the time of its death. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science also noted:
“While histology has not yet been done, but will be, we estimated the size of teenage T. Rex based on the length of the specimen’s tibia (shin bone).”
Scientific Insights from the Teen Rex Fossil
The discovery of a teenage T. rex fossil is particularly significant as most T. rex fossils found are from older and larger animals. This juvenile skeleton provides researchers with the opportunity to study the growth and development of the T. rex species during a crucial phase of its life. The museum highlighted this crucial part as follows:
“The story of Teen Rex and the three kids, Jessin, Liam and Kaiden, underscores the power of curiosity, determination, and the pursuit of knowledge.”
Documentary Premiere and Public Display at Denver Museum
The excavation of the teenage T. rex was filmed and compiled into a 40-minute documentary titled “T.REX,” which will premiere on June 21 at the museum’s Infinity Theater. The film promises an immersive experience with state-of-the-art CGI and cutting-edge paleontological insights. Additionally, a temporary display called “Discovering Teen Rex” will be open to the public on the same day at 1:30 p.m by Denver Museum.
This discovery not only marks a significant scientific achievement but also showcases the remarkable potential of young minds in contributing to our understanding of the natural world.
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