Ultimate Dinosaurs Exhibition Makes its Texas Debut This Summer
Funky frills? Check.
Crazy claws? Check.
Enormous dinosaurs that would have terrified T. rex? Check, check, check.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is getting all prehistoric this summer as it celebrates the “summer of the dinosaur.” From the much-anticipated Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibition making its Texas debut to all-new dinosaur-themed exhibits, programs, events, films, camps, and activities, the Perot Museum is sure to be a dino-mite destination for all ages this summer.
Opening June 23, Ultimate Dinosaurs will put guests eye to eye with 20 exotic dinosaur species from the other side of the world, with cutting-edge technology that will “transport” them to prehistoric times.
But these aren’t your typical T. rex and Triceratops that most know, these unique dinosaurs were fierce with gigantic skulls, crocodile-like faces, and exotic features.
“These are not the dinosaurs you learned about in school,” said Dr. Linda Silver, Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the Perot Museum. “Ultimate Dinosaurs showcases a whole new group of fossil animals that were unknown to scientists 30 years ago. We’ve all heard of Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus … this is your chance to take a journey to the past and learn about a fascinating group of highly unusual dinosaurs from below the equator.”
Based on groundbreaking research from scientists around the world, Ultimate Dinosaurs reveals rarely seen species from the other side of the world that evolved and thrived in South America and Africa. From the tiny Eoraptor to the massive Giganotosaurus (T. rex’s bigger, badder cousin), the exhibition is an enthralling introduction to dinosaurs that are unfamiliar to most North Americans.
“Dinosaurs are often what sparks an interest in science, and this exhibition is sure to bring that interest to life for many guests who get to experience it,” said Thomas Surgent, Highland Capital Management partner and chief compliance officer. “Highland is proud to play a role in connecting people of all ages to science in such a unique, engaging way.”
Ultimate Dinosaurs tells the story of the breakup of supercontinent Pangaea into today’s continents and the fantastic diversity of dinosaurs that evolved during the Mesozoic Era (roughly 251-65 million years ago) as a result. As Pangaea divided first into Laurasia in the north and Gondwana in the south (and later into the seven continents of today), dinosaurs were passengers on these drifting land masses. The dinosaurs’ imposed geographic location, and sometimes isolation helped drive their evolution into an incredible array of unusual forms that dominated ancient ecosystems wherever they lived.
Visitors can feast their eyes on 17 fully articulated dinosaur casts, more than a dozen prehistoric specimens, augmented reality to experience the dinosaurs in the flesh, touchable fossilized dinosaur specimens, hands-on play spaces featuring miniature dinosaur dioramas and more.
Highlights will include full-sized skeletons, plus life-sized video projections of the creatures, interactive games, augmented-reality viewers and much more.
The “summer of the dinosaur” kicks off Memorial Day weekend (May 25-28) with special holiday weekend activities including summertime sand slime, erupting watermelons, shark dissections and more; patriotic discovery bottles, hurricane exploration, and art activities in the Moody Family Children’s Museum; plus extended summer hours through Sept. 3.
And stay tuned as the Museum unearths new dinosaur sights and experiences throughout the coming months. Details are available at perotmuseum.org/summer.
