It’s not uncommon to find arrowheads on hikes here in the PNW, but this father and his two sons found a T-Rex on a hike in North Dakota. Check it out.
Finding T-Rex Fossils
In 2022, Sam Fisher, his sons Jessin and Liam, and their cousin Kaiden Madsen discovered a dinosaur leg while hiking in North Dakota’s Badlands. They found it in the Hell Creek Formation, famous for T. rex fossils. Fisher sent a photo to Dr. Tyler Lyson, a paleontologist and old schoolmate. Initially thought to be a duck-billed dinosaur, further inspection revealed it might be a T. rex.
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“Teen Rex”
In July 2023, Lyson led an excavation with the family and confirmed it was a juvenile T. rex, now called “Teen Rex.” The team found a jaw with teeth, proving its identity. The massive fossil, weighing 6,000 pounds, needed a Black Hawk helicopter for transport.
Now an Exhibit at Denver Museum
“Teen Rex” is now an exhibit at the Denver Museum, where visitors can see scientists study the fossil. A documentary, “T-REX,” showcases the excavation. Lyson estimates the T. rex was 13-15 years old, 25 feet long, and 3,500 pounds.
The discovery sparks debate about juvenile T. rex fossils and whether they belong to a different species, Nanotyrannus. The team plans to return to find more fossils.
Conclusion
You never know what you’re going to find on your next adventure, and this awesome short story of inspiration proves just that. Finding dinosaur bones is like a dream come true, for many, so get outside and keep your eyes peeled for amazing wonders because you never know what treasures await.
You may also like: “Rare Hoodwinker Sunfish Washed Ashore on Gearhart Beach in Oregon“
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/07/science/juvenile-t-rex-fossil-discovery-north-dakota-scn/index.html
