Dinosaurs roam through the Franklin Institute
Millions of years before humans existed, a different species roamed the land. From “The Flintstones” to “Jurassic Park,” we have seen these creatures depicted on the movie screen and in TV shows for years. Of course, I’m referring to none other than the dinosaur.
“Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs” will be running rampant at the Franklin Institute through April 15. Open to the public since Dec. 10, the exhibit is a must-see. The exhibit reveals how the largest-known creatures existed and survived.
As you are taking in the exhibit, you may even get a “Jurassic Park” or “Night at the Museum” vibe, as some of the dinosaurs are programmed to move around and eerily stare, with their pointy teeth shining ominously.
The exhibit features dozens of dinosaur skeletons in various sizes, from a small dog (Microceratops) to more than 1000 feet long (Sauropods), dinosaurs were mostly the humongous creatures we know them to be. Some, such as the Mapasaurus, made up for its smaller size by hunting in packs.
On display at the exhibit are samples of dinosaur eggs of different sizes, and teeth of different species. Not only are dinosaurs so much larger than other animals, but so are their features! It is alleged that one egg of an elephant bird was so large, that 80 omelets could be made from it! The teeth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex were sharp and deadly, while the Gigantosaurus’ teeth were not so sharp. They likely had to slice away at their prey, whereas the T-Rex could dig deep and break into a bone with one bite!
As large as the body of a dinosaur was, one part was not proportioned with the rest — its head. They are known to have been very pea-brained. For example, the long-necked Mamaenchisaurus was huge; there was one known to be 66 feet tall and weighing 20 tons, but its head was disproportionally small.
Scientists started discovering details about dinosaurs as they began to study preserved fossils. Remains have been found all over the world, most notably in China. In fact, nearly half of all dinosaurs known have been discovered in the past two decades.
As the exhibit explains, many dinosaur bones perished within a few months, as they were exposed to open air. Fortunately, some dinosaur remains were covered up by rocks or sand, thereby preserving them. Being covered and not exposed made them the perfect fossils — and an anthropologist’s dream!
In one well-known instance, a Velociraptor was found biting down on the skull of a much smaller Protoceratops. Amazingly, as this was occurring, a sand dune covered them both — preserving them for millions of years. They were found in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert in 1971.
One significant function that experts were able to understand by studying preserved fossils was the digestive system. Dinosaurs dined mainly on plants, but many of their teeth were equipped for slicing food, but not chewing; therefore they gulped down their food. The process of their digestion is debated, but it is said to have spanned several days.
Of course, dinosaurs didn’t live forever. Why did they become extinct? The end of the exhibit explores this; volcanoes, extreme temperatures and diseases all contributed.
It is unlikely that we’ll ever see an animal the size of most dinosaurs during our lifetime. Their larger-than-life size is part of why they are so fascinating. As is written at the end of the exhibit, “the world may never see creatures so grand.”
Be sure to check out “Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs,” which provides brilliant insights into the creatures that ruled the world millions of years before man came.
‘Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs’
runs at the Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th St.,
Philadelphia, PA 19103,
through April 15.
Info: 215-448-1200
or www.fi.edu.
“Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs” will be running rampant at the Franklin Institute through April 15. Open to the public since Dec. 10, the exhibit is a must-see. The exhibit reveals how the largest-known creatures existed and survived.
As you are taking in the exhibit, you may even get a “Jurassic Park” or “Night at the Museum” vibe, as some of the dinosaurs are programmed to move around and eerily stare, with their pointy teeth shining ominously.
The exhibit features dozens of dinosaur skeletons in various sizes, from a small dog (Microceratops) to more than 1000 feet long (Sauropods), dinosaurs were mostly the humongous creatures we know them to be. Some, such as the Mapasaurus, made up for its smaller size by hunting in packs.
On display at the exhibit are samples of dinosaur eggs of different sizes, and teeth of different species. Not only are dinosaurs so much larger than other animals, but so are their features! It is alleged that one egg of an elephant bird was so large, that 80 omelets could be made from it! The teeth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex were sharp and deadly, while the Gigantosaurus’ teeth were not so sharp. They likely had to slice away at their prey, whereas the T-Rex could dig deep and break into a bone with one bite!
As large as the body of a dinosaur was, one part was not proportioned with the rest — its head. They are known to have been very pea-brained. For example, the long-necked Mamaenchisaurus was huge; there was one known to be 66 feet tall and weighing 20 tons, but its head was disproportionally small.
Scientists started discovering details about dinosaurs as they began to study preserved fossils. Remains have been found all over the world, most notably in China. In fact, nearly half of all dinosaurs known have been discovered in the past two decades.
As the exhibit explains, many dinosaur bones perished within a few months, as they were exposed to open air. Fortunately, some dinosaur remains were covered up by rocks or sand, thereby preserving them. Being covered and not exposed made them the perfect fossils — and an anthropologist’s dream!
In one well-known instance, a Velociraptor was found biting down on the skull of a much smaller Protoceratops. Amazingly, as this was occurring, a sand dune covered them both — preserving them for millions of years. They were found in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert in 1971.
One significant function that experts were able to understand by studying preserved fossils was the digestive system. Dinosaurs dined mainly on plants, but many of their teeth were equipped for slicing food, but not chewing; therefore they gulped down their food. The process of their digestion is debated, but it is said to have spanned several days.
Of course, dinosaurs didn’t live forever. Why did they become extinct? The end of the exhibit explores this; volcanoes, extreme temperatures and diseases all contributed.
It is unlikely that we’ll ever see an animal the size of most dinosaurs during our lifetime. Their larger-than-life size is part of why they are so fascinating. As is written at the end of the exhibit, “the world may never see creatures so grand.”
Be sure to check out “Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs,” which provides brilliant insights into the creatures that ruled the world millions of years before man came.
‘Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs’
runs at the Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th St.,
Philadelphia, PA 19103,
through April 15.
Info: 215-448-1200
or www.fi.edu.
Comments
Post a Comment