You know, the Dinosaur one
T. Boone Pickens
Life Then and Now Hall
Dig in!
Towering dinosaurs, rare fossils, and virtual paleo-habitats are just a few of the awe-inspiring discoveries you’ll make inside the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall. Study everything from ancient animal bones and rare fossils to the bodies and behaviors of modern-day animals, and get an up-close-and-personal look into dinosaur life.
New Paleo Lab
Be among the first to see our brand new Paleo Lab, where you can get real-time views of the dynamic dinosaur research being done at the Museum as our paleontologists and preparators process fossils fresh from the field. At this glass-encased permanent exhibit, you may just get to see the unearthing of a new prehistoric species!
Towering atop the Paleo Lab is the only full-body reconstruction of Nanuqsaurus hoglundi in the world. This species was discovered by Dr. Anthony Fiorillo, the Museum’s former chief curator, and unearthed in our very own lab.
The gargantuan fossil skeletons of T. rex and Alamosaurus
You definitely couldn’t miss them anyway — these prehistoric beasts will be the first thing to greet you when you walk into the hall.
Did you know? The Alamosaurus bones were discovered when a member of an excavation team, working at a nearby fossil site, had to go around the hill to answer nature’s call.
The Perot dinosaur
A new species of dinosaur was discovered by Perot Museum paleontologists — Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum. Getting to the remains involved a 300-foot climb up a riverbank through rain and snow in Alaska. But, with great risk comes great rewards.
Following in their footsteps
Denali National Park in Alaska has been dubbed a “dinosaur dance floor.” Museum paleontologists discovered a treasure trove of fossilized footprints of duck-billed dinosaurs called hadrosaurs. Get up close and see what’s been left behind on these stomping grounds.
Ocean life in Dallas
If you could go back 100-66 million years ago, you’d be standing in water. Check out the stunning Tylosaurus skeleton that once ruled the tropical seas that existed right here in Dallas.
Connecting continents
The Beringian land bridge connected Asia and North America during the Cretaceous Period, 100 million years ago. Geography and climate profoundly influence how species evolve. Over time, animals and vegetation moved back and forth between the continents and mixed together.
Life Then and Now Hall Scavenger Hunt
- Find the first mounted dinosaur skeleton in the state of Texas (hint, it’s called a Tenontosaurus)
- Find the Tylosaurus – it was found by a kid on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard.
- See if you can find the replica Frenelopsis tree: During the construction and installation of dinosaurs in the hall, real live birds flew in the building and actually landed on it!
What to do next
Kids five and under — don’t miss your opportunity to use scoops, shovels, and rakes to discover replica fossils in our shaded outdoor dig area! Take the elevator down to the ground level into the Moody Family Children’s Museum and get digging!
