A Remarkable Discovery Amidst Nature

In a shocking twist of fate, three young boys stumbled upon the impressive remains of a teenage Tyrannosaurus rex during a casual hike in the Badlands of North Dakota. This is no ordinary childhood adventure; it's on track to become one of the most noteworthy paleontological finds in recent years.

How It All Began: A Family Outing Turns Historic

The fossil was discovered in July 2022, when Sam Fisher took his sons, Jessin (12) and Liam (9), along with their cousin Kaiden Madsen (11), for what they thought would be a simple family hike. Unbeknownst to them, their day would lead to uncovering a well-preserved dinosaur fossil.

Typically, dinosaur discoveries are made by expert paleontologists, but this astonishing find was made by a trio of curious young adventurers.

Connecting with the Experts: A Call for Help

After unearthing the remains, Fisher reached out to Tyler Lyson, a paleontology curator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, for guidance. Dr. Lyson expressed his excitement, stating, "These boys have made an incredible dinosaur discovery that advances science and deepens our understanding of the natural world. I'm thrilled for museum guests to dig into the 'Teen Rex Discovery' experience!"

What Scientists Learned: Size and Age of the Teen T. Rex

With the aid of advanced techniques, scientists analyzed bone histology and growth patterns to estimate the age of this teenage T. rex. Notably, its tibia, measuring 82 cm, pointed to a juvenile that was about 25 feet long and weighed around 3,500 pounds at the time of its untimely death.

For comparison, adult T. rexes can reach an astonishing 40 feet in length and weigh up to 8,000 pounds.

The Rarity of Juvenile Fossils

Uncovering fossils of juvenile T. rexes is extraordinarily rare. Most finds are of adult specimens due to their size and identifiable structures. This juvenile fossil will yield crucial insights into how T. rexes grew, their diets, behaviors, and overall health during adolescence.

Coming Soon: A Captivating Documentary

The excavation of the Teen Rex fossil has been documented, and a 40-minute film titled 'T. rex' is in the works. It will premiere on June 21 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science’s Infinity Theater.

Using cutting-edge CGI and the latest paleontological discoveries, the documentary will provide an engaging glimpse into the life of one of history's most iconic dinosaurs. The exhibit opens at 1:30 p.m. on the same day, allowing visitors to explore this groundbreaking find and learn about its significance.