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- American Museum of Natural History
- Night at the Museum Tour
- Hayden Planetarium
- T-Rex Exhibit
- Dinosaurs
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Contents
About the T-Rex exhibit
The Tyrannosaurus rex fossil at the AMNH was unearthed by fossil hunter Barnum Brown at Big Dry Creek, Montana in 1908. In 1915, it became the first T-Rex fossil to be mounted and displayed. In the early days of its display, the fossil was mounted in an upright position that was scientifically incorrect. In the early 1990s, the posture was changed: the head was lowered and the tail came up, displaying the T-Rex in the stalking posture. This is what you will see at the museum today when you walk into the hall.
Location: Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs, Floor 4
Duration: You can spend around 30 mins exploring the T-Rex exhibit and others in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs.
Included with admission: Yes
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
T-Rex in pop culture
Jurassic Park
Chip Kidd, the designer who created the cover for Michael Crichton's book Jurassic Park, came to the American Museum of Natural History for inspiration. Ultimately, the museum's T-Rex fossil, AMNH 5027, became his model. The sketch was later used, almost unchanged, in the Jurassic Park movies, making it synonymous with the franchise. Chip used a transparency and a rapidograph pen to fashion the T-Rex silhouette used in the cover.
Night at the Museum
Who can forget Rexy, the menacing yet adorable T-Rex fossil from the Night at the Museum franchise. This movie T-Rex was also based on the AMNH 5027 fossil and AMNH even has a Night at the Museum self-guided tour in which guests can see all the real-life exhibits from the films, including the fossil. However, the film shows the Rexy's mount right at the entrance of the museum but the original one is on the 4th floor.
Fun facts about the Tyrannosaurus rex
The Tyrannosaurus rex at the AMNH 5027 has a unique feature on its skull—its ectopterygoid bone, which provides support when biting, was pushed out of place when fossilization took place, giving it a distinct bump.
About 45% of the bones in AMNH 5027 are real fossils—mainly vertebrae, hips, and ribs. The humerus and femur are casts from the first T-Rex fossil found in Hell Creek, Montana, in 1902.
Henry Fairfield Osborn, who was president of the ANMH at the time of its discovery, named the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex, which means 'tyrant lizard king'.
The T-Rex had sharp, serrated teeth and it didn’t chop or grind its food. Instead, it swallowed large chunks whole. It also had a joint midway through its lower jaw that may have worked like a shock absorber to handle struggling prey.
Some scientists believe that the T-Rex had feather-like structures on its back and shoulders.
One of the most iconic references to the T-Rex is from the Jurassic Park movies. However, the T-Rex didn't live in the Jurassic period at all. It roamed the earth around 69 to 66 million years ago, at the end of the Late Cretaceous Period.
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Frequently asked questions about the T-Rex at AMNH
Is the T-Rex exhibit suitable for kids?
Yes, the T-Rex exhibit is suitable for kids and very popular with the young ones!
Does the exhibit have any hands-on activities?
Although the T-Rex exhibit doesn't usually have any hands-on activities, it is inside the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs and therefore surrounded by a number of other interesting dinosaur fossil displays.
What are the best times to visit the exhibit?
The exhibit is one of the most popular ones in the AMNH, so it is usually crowded at all times. However, you may find it less crowded just after the museum opens and post lunch.
Are guided tours available for the T-Rex exhibit?
Yes, several of the museum's guided tours include the T-Rex exhibit. One of the most popular tours is the Night at the Museum self-guided tour, which shows all the real-life exhibits referenced in the films.
Can I take pictures of the exhibit?
Yes, photography and videography are allowed at the museum, but only for personal use. It is best to avoid using the flash.
Can I see other dinosaur fossils in the same hall?
Yes, the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs has a number of other dinosaur fossils — Apatosaurus, theropods, tetanurans, coelurosaurs, maniraptora, and others.
Is there a gift shop where I can buy dinosaur-themed souvenirs?
The Dino Store on floor 4 sells dinosaur-themed gifts and trinkets, such as games, puzzles, educational products, fossil replicas, books, posters, shirts, and more.
Can I touch the T-Rex fossil?
No, guests are not allowed to touch the fossils because it may negatively affect their preservation.