A new species of dinosaur discovered in 2014 in the Patagonian Desert of Argentina is finally being put up for display in the American Museum of Natural History. The dinosaur is currently being dubbed as the “biggest dinosaur ever.”
The dinosaur does not have an exact species name yet, but it is being categorized as a titanosaur. The titanosaur currently on display is 122 feet long, surpassing the museum's model of the blue whale by 30 feet, and is about 20 feet tall, according to scientists. It’s so big it doesn’t even fit in the gallery with part of its neck (which is 39 feet long) extending into the next hallway.
The titanosaurs were herbivores known for their lizard-like appearance, long necks, and whip-like tails. Fossils of these dinosaurs have been found on every continent, including Antarctica, but were most found in southern lands. During the 18 month long excavation, 223 fossils were found, which scientists are saying belonged to six individual dinosaurs of this species. Scientists say that they roamed around 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period.
The skeleton that will be on display does not use the actual bones due to their staggering weight, the thigh bone alone being more than 1,100 pounds; instead, the display is made out of 3-D printed fiberglass which is very lightweight. The display opened January 15, 2016. The Tyrannosaurus Rex and other dinosaurs are also on display at the museum.
Jessica Dowdell
The dinosaur does not have an exact species name yet, but it is being categorized as a titanosaur. The titanosaur currently on display is 122 feet long, surpassing the museum's model of the blue whale by 30 feet, and is about 20 feet tall, according to scientists. It’s so big it doesn’t even fit in the gallery with part of its neck (which is 39 feet long) extending into the next hallway.
The titanosaurs were herbivores known for their lizard-like appearance, long necks, and whip-like tails. Fossils of these dinosaurs have been found on every continent, including Antarctica, but were most found in southern lands. During the 18 month long excavation, 223 fossils were found, which scientists are saying belonged to six individual dinosaurs of this species. Scientists say that they roamed around 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period.
The skeleton that will be on display does not use the actual bones due to their staggering weight, the thigh bone alone being more than 1,100 pounds; instead, the display is made out of 3-D printed fiberglass which is very lightweight. The display opened January 15, 2016. The Tyrannosaurus Rex and other dinosaurs are also on display at the museum.
Jessica Dowdell