It’s been 13 years since Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex was spotted in Gainesville, but the dinosaur is back at the Florida Museum of Natural History — and this time, things are getting interactive.
It’s been 67 million years since Sue the T. rex took her last breath, but this summer’s exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History is giving visitors a chance to get up close and personal with the largest Tyrannosaurus rexever discovered.
“There’s nothing like seeing a giant T. rex skeleton in real life,” said Darcie MacMahon, the director of exhibits and public programs at the museum. “You can look at pictures and books or even on a movie screen and there’s nothing that really communicates the enormity of these animals better.”
“Even the museum staff — you know, that thing came through the door and started going together and we all went ‘oh my gosh, look at this thing!’”
Sue’s skeleton is 42 feet long and 13 feet high. At 90 percent complete, it has allowed scientists an unmatched level of detail to study.
However, one mystery remains.
“We actually don’t know if it’s a female skeleton or a male skeleton,” said MacMahon.
What scientists do know is how Sue used its small forearms and how its eyes worked. Visitors can experience both through interactive components of the exhibit.
There’s also a sand pit where guests can dig up replicas of Sue’s bones.
The skeleton will be on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville until mid-September.
Photo credit: T-Rex by Terence Faircloth is used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
