Suborder Theropoda,
Family Tyrannosauridae
Tyrannosaurus rex
Late Cretaceous, Montana
University of California, Berkley
One of the largest known predators to have walked the Earth (the females distinctly larger than the males), this invincibly massive, ferocious carnosaur of Late Cretaceous western North America and Asia was discovered in 1902 by the adventurous collector Barnum Brown. Surpassed in size only by the South American carnosaur
Giganotosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex
(“Tyrant Lizard King”) grew to lengths of as much as 50 feet, towering 20 feet high and weighing 5 to 7 tons. Their heads alone measured 4 to 5 feet, sporting jaws lined with long, saw-edged teeth, each one supported by ranks of replacements. Reaching maturity within 5 years, the life spans of these enormous creatures may have surpassed 100 years.
Fossil evidence of their actual metabolism is magnificently preserved in the sequential rings of growth-spurts which scar the teeth. While strictly regarded by some as nothing more than scavengers, owing to their greatly reduced forelimbs which could not even reach their mouths, others consider these creatures the most fearsome hunters ever to have existed, balanced for swift running by their long tails.
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Also on display at MoAW, a T-rex brain,
Approximately 8.5 inches high
Tyrannosaurus rex
Late Cretaceous, Montana
University of California, Berkley
Presumed to have dealt mostly with the animal’s senses, the brain of
Tyrannosaurus rex
was not small for a dinosaur although compared to the size of the creature’s body it was remarkably diminutive.
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One more wonderous T-rex fossil on display at MoAW, the Maxilla:
Tyrannosaurus rex
Late Cretaceous, Montana
University of California, Berkley
This isolated maxilla, once the largest known. These huge jaws, measuring up to 4 feet in length, were meant for crushing bones. The conical serrated teeth grabbed, pierced and ripped flesh from prey.
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Each Friday we will highlight a different artifact or fossil from MoAW's collection. With over 250 currently on display, plus artifacts in storage that will be rotating and future acquisitions,we won't run out of pieces to spotlight anytime soon.
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Next Week;
Tutankhamun's Golden Canopic Shrine and Tutelary Goddesses
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Check your email next week to learn about Tut's golden canopic shrine. What is it, what does it hold, who are the tutelary goddess's guarding it?
Open next weeks email and learn.
Do you have a favorite piece at MoAW you would like to see highlighted in our weekly email? Write to us at info@moaw and let us know.
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The Latest MoAW
In the News:
Last weeks on-line story and video from the Desert Sun was in the print edition on Sunday, January 5. The link to the on-line story is below.
Monday January 6, MoAW was featured on Channel 3 News, Eye on the Desert. Link below.
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Ways to support MoAW
People often ask how can I be part of MoAW’s success?
There are many ways you can help;
You can Volunteer; Call, write or stop in to see where you can be of service.
You can tell your friends, family and co-workers about MoAW.
You can become a member, click below to go to the membership page of MoAW's website.
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Financial support at any level is needed and very appreciated. Join our
3-C's
Giving Club
, give up one cup of coffee, one cocktail or one pack of cigarettes a week and donate $6.25 a week in a $25 monthly gift to MoAW and you will be amazed at what you can do. If 50 people join at the end of 1-year MoAW will have $15,000, enough to sponsor over 2,500 deserving students with field trips, enough for our curator to acquire a nest of baby Maiasaura peeblesorum to add to our dinosaur displays.
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