A Saturday with Sue
Humans of all ages engaged their imaginations as they entered the dinosaur’s domain at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. While this exciting exhibit was here in the Mile High City, people had transported back to a Cretaceous forest about 67 million years ago and found themselves standing between two full-scale casts of SUE and T. rex’s nemesis, the Triceratops.
Children had dropped jaws as they entered the room. There in all her glory was a giant full-size replica of a T. rex with its prey hanging from its jaws. This find is the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex specimen ever discovered. Sue the T. rex Experience was just as amazing as promised.
Sue Hendrickson came across the fossils in 1990 during a commercial excavation trip north of Faith, South Dakota. Incredibly this specimen was about 90% complete with 250 of the approximate 380 known bones in a T. rex skeleton. Visitors were able to not only view the full-sized cast of dinosaur bones, they felt the texture of dino skin, heard the subsonic rumble of what the creature sounded like and experienced “dinner time” watching Sue catch and devour her prey on a big screen. According to National Geographic paleontologists have found that Tyrannosaurus rex chased down prey, ripped off chunks of flesh, and threw back its head to toss them down the hatch. Basically, what did Tyrannosaurus rex eat? The obvious answer was anything it wanted.” Asteroids were basically her only enemy.
There was plenty to experience at this exhibit with dino bones that were found as close as right here in Littleton, CO.
As cute as this little turtle with his hard shell was, he would have been an afternoon snack for Sue.
Sue may have moved on to her next adventure, but there is still so much to see at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Be sure to set aside some time for the re-designed Space Oddessy. There is even a VR ride that is out of this world! The Stonehenge exhibit explores where, when, why, and perhaps most intriguing, how Stonehenge was built. Tickets are timed to ensure social distancing, and there is nothing like the feeling of getting back out into the world. Check out their website to see all the excitement being offered.
DMNS commits to safe spaces, face coverings worn at all times, physical distancing, temperature checks, hand sanitizer stations, increased ventilation, and even the T-rex Café and Deli were open with limited seating.
Written by Colleen Bement
Hi, I’m Lynn, and I Make.
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