A rare juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossil was discovered by three children during a family hike in the North Dakota Badlands nearly two years ago and will soon be displayed at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The discovery was made in July 2022 by brothers Jessin and Liam Fisher, their father Sam Fisher, and their cousin, Kaiden Madsen. Unsure of what they had found, Sam reached out to paleontologist Tyler Lyson, who obtained an excavation permit from the Bureau of Land Management to excavate the fossil in 2023.
Tyler Lyson, the museum’s curator of paleontology, initially thought the fossil may have been something ordinary. However, upon uncovering the teeth of the fossil, he realized that the children had found a rare juvenile T. rex. This fossil, nicknamed “Teen Rex” by the museum, is one of only four young T. rex fossils ever found on Earth. Chief fossil preparator Natalie Toth has been working on preparing the fossil for display at the museum, where it will be on view in a temporary exhibit starting June 21.
Although the histology of the dinosaur has not been completed, it is estimated to have been between 12 and 14 years old when it died. The dinosaur would have weighed about half as much as some of the most famous T. rex specimens. Jessin, one of the children who discovered the fossil and an aspiring paleontologist, expressed his excitement about the find and hopes it leads him down a path similar to that of Tyler Lyson, who is encouraging his interest in paleontology.
Tyler Lyson emphasized the significance of the discovery, noting that finding a complete T. rex fossil is truly special since such apex predators are rare. He described the discovery as an amazing and heartwarming story of three kids stumbling upon the king of all dinosaurs while looking for fossils in the Badlands of North Dakota. A documentary showcasing the boys’ discovery will be shown at the museum’s Infinity Theater alongside the exhibit “Discovering Teen Rex,” which will feature the juvenile T. rex fossil found by the children.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is preparing to display the juvenile T. rex fossil found by the children in the North Dakota Badlands, showcasing the remarkable discovery to the public. The museum’s curator of paleontology, Tyler Lyson, expressed his excitement about the find, highlighting the rarity of a complete T. rex fossil and the significance of discovering a juvenile specimen. The fossil, known as “Teen Rex,” will be featured in a temporary exhibit starting in June, along with a documentary telling the story of the boys’ discovery.
The discovery of the juvenile T. rex fossil by three children during a family hike in the North Dakota Badlands has captured the attention of paleontologists and the public alike. The fossil, estimated to be between 12 and 14 years old, provides valuable insights into the life of juvenile T. rex specimens. The enthusiasm of the children involved in the discovery, particularly Jessin Fisher, demonstrates the enduring appeal of paleontology and the excitement of uncovering ancient relics. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is preparing to showcase the fossil in a special exhibit, allowing visitors to learn about the remarkable find and the process of excavating and preparing the juvenile T. rex fossil for display.
