Wyoming Dinosaur Center: Difference between revisions

One of the most notable fossil assemblies on the property is from the "Something Interesting" or SI excavation site. This site presents the rare occurrence of both dinosaur trace fossils and body fossils including footprints of many Sauropods and ''Allosaurus'' as well as skeletal remains from ''Camarasaurus, Diplodocus,'' and ''Apatosaurus'' - three of the sauropods most common in the area during the Late Jurassic. Most of the bones belong to a juvenile (30 foot long) ''Camarasaurus'' that was scavenged by many ''Allosaurs''. This is known based on the presence of both teeth and claw marks on many of the bones present as well as an abundance of shed ''Allosaur'' teeth (more than 100) found among the bone debris. Research conducted by Debra Jennings back in 2006, determined that the bones were accumulated in the past when the site was part of a shallow alkaline lake. There are in fact at least two separate layers of bone bearing material created as the lake expanded and shrank with changes in the environment over time.({{Harvnb|Jennings|2006}}).

[[File:Going Where the Dinosaurs Roamed In the US.ogv|thumb|[[VOA]] report about the museum]]

 

Other dig sites include "Foot Site" or FS, which contains parts of at least three juvenile [[diplodocid]] with articulated hands and feet, "There You Are" or TYA, which contains the remains of multiple ''Allosaurs'' and has not been worked on over the past few years due to the discovery of a site called "Above There You Are" or ATYA, which contains the remains of what currently appears to be a single very young Diplodocid. One of the oldest sites on the property is called "Beside Sauropod" or BS, which has been active for over 20 years and produced over 1800 bones to date. Included at the site are at least 6 ''Camarasaurs'' and a partial ''Apatosaur'' as well as dozens of shed ''Allosaur'' teeth.

 

During the winter, the excavation sites are closed to visitors, but over the summer months (late-May to mid-September) active digging occurs every day (weather permitting). Hourly trips up to the sites occurs every day during this time (again weather permitting), where you can see students and visitors working at the sites. You can even reserve a Dig for a Day (full day) or Shovel Ready (half day) with your own guide and learn what it takes to find, excavate, clean and preserve fossils that are as much as 150 million years old.

 

The museum is open all year round and hosts a gallery with more than 50 mounted skeletons, including a full mount of ''Supersaurus vivianae'' excavated from a quarry near Douglas, Wyoming. The replica skeleton on display is 106 feet long and is the first mount based on data from the second and most complete ''Supersaurus'' ever found affectionately named "Jimbo" (WDC DMJ-001) which was donated to the museum in 2003. Other dinosaurs present include a ''T rex, Triceratops, Medusaceratops'' as well as various ''Hadrosaurs, Stegosaurs'' and ''Allosaurs''. One of the newest members to the museum is the almost 90% complete, composite skeleton of a ''Camarasaurus'' found on the property by staff and visitors, excavated over the past 20 years. There is also a collection of real and replica marine reptiles, and flying reptiles. From these times before and after the dinosaurs, the museum hosts an impressive display of pre-Mesozoic fossils, including numerous Devonian fish and invertebrates. The more modern displays include fossil camels, horses, rodents and nimravids (sabretooth cat like animals).