Minnesota Zoo

Countdown to opening

Dinosaurs! at the Minnesota Zoo represents the Mesozoic era, approximately 230 million to 65 million years ago. The exhibit will transport Zoo guests back in time with sound-producing, larger-than-life dinosaurs; unique horticultural components, and a natural, landscaped exhibit.

The dinosaurs are designed and built by Billings Productions, Inc. (billingsproductions.com), based in McKinney, Texas by a team of designers, engineers, sculptors and artists. Each is made of steel and a “skin” material composed of a special urethane compound good for protecting the dinosaurs from inclement weather – a must for Minnesota! Each dinosaur is fitted with its own “electronic brain” to activate and control movement and sound.

Dinosaurs! at the Minnesota Zoo will be on exhibit from Memorial weekend through Labor Day. Visit mnzoo.org for the complete list of dinosaurs and more information.

less Hide this content.

Dinosaur Fun Facts

Dinosaurs! at the Minnesota Zoo represents the Mesozoic era and lived from approximately 230 million to 65 million years ago.
The name dinosaur translates as 'terrible or wondrous lizards.'

more More fun facts.

Dinosaurs were the dominant land animals for 160 million years, making them one of the most successful groups of animals ever.
Dinosaurs lived on every continent, including Antarctica. During the time of the dinosaurs, the world was much warmer, and Antarctica had forests.
Dinosaurs were big and continued to grow throughout life as long as they were healthy and had access to food. Dinosaurs laid eggs, and did not have to nurse their young (like mammals), so they could devote more of their biological "energy budget" to growth.
The causes of dinosaur extinction are unsolved mysteries, though volcanic eruptions and the impacts of large asteroids or comets are prime suspects.
The death of the last dinosaur and the appearance of the first "human" (genus Homo) were separated by about 62 million years.
"Walk the Dinosaur" is a hit single recorded and released by the band Was (Not Was) in 1987 in the U.K. It reached number seven on the U.S. Billboard top 100 chart in 1989.

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Dinosaur
http://paleobiology.si.edu/dinosaurs/index.html
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/prehistoric-world/

less Hide this content.

Click on an image to enlarge.

Acrocanthosaurus
Given its name (meaning “high-spined lizard”) because of the unusually high spines on many of its vertebrae.

Lived in the Early Cetaceous and discovered mostly in southwest United States.

Pronounced: ack-row-can-thoh-SORE-us

Brachiosaurus
Name means “Arm Lizard” because its forelimbs were longer than hind legs.

Discovered in North America, Europe and Africa from the Jurassic period.

Pronounced: BRAK-ee-uh-SORE-us

Chasmosaurus and baby
Name means “Chasm Lizard” because of the large opening on its frill.

Discovered in North America including Canada, from the cretaceous period.

Pronounced: KAZ-mo-SOR-us

Deinonychus Slasher

Deinonychus was an agile predator with a tail stiffened with numerous bony rods and a noticeably sharp sickle-shaped claw on its second toe.

Early Cretaceous North America

Pronounced: die-NO-ny-CUSS

Dilophosaurus Baby
Name means “Double-Crested Lizard” because it had two crests.

Dilophosaurus
Had long thin legs and short arms with three fingers and claws on each finger. Also, had strong legs with four toes.

Pronounced: die-LOF-o-SOR-us

Euoplocephalus
Name means “Well-armored Head” because its head was very protected.

Discovered in North America from the cretaceous period.

Pronounced: YOU-o-plo-SEFF-a-lus

Giganotosaurus
Name means “Giant Southern Lizard” because it is one of the largest dinosaurs and was found in the South.

Discovered in Argentina from the cretaceous period.

Pronounced: JIG-a-not-o-SOR-us

Pachycephalosaurus
Name means “Thick Headed Lizard” because it had an extremely thick skull – 10 inches thick.

Discovered in Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming from the cretaceous period.

Pronounced: pak-ee-SEF-a-lo-SORE-us

Parasaurolophus
Name means “Beside Crested Lizard” because it had a long, hollow and bony crest that was about 6 feet long.

Discovered in Canada, New Mexico, and Utah from the cretaceous period.

Pronounced: PAIR-a-SORE-o-lo-fus

Parasaurolophus Egg Nest
Had a toothless horny beak and numerous cheek teeth and traveled in herds.

Discovered in Canada, New Mexico, and Utah from the cretaceous period.

Quetzalcoatlus
Name comes from Quetzalcoatl, an Aztec serpent god covered in feathers.

Lived in the Late Cretaceous in what is now North America

Troodon
Name means “wounding teeth” in Greek because its teeth were serrated at the apex.

Lived in the late Cretaceous period.

Pronounced: TROH-o-don

Tyrannosaurus
Name means “Tyrant Lizard King” because it was one of the largest and most powerful dinosaurs.

Discovered in the USA, Canada and East Asia from the cretaceous period.

Pronounced: tye-RAN-o-SORE-us