Early Cretaceous Dinosaurs Alive Brookfield Zoo
Baryonyx, Yangchuanosaurus, Ruyang Yellow River Dinosaur Facts
May 12, 2009
Chicago families can prepare children ahead of time for an educational and entertaining visit to the Chicago Brookfield Zoo Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit of life-sized and life-like animatronic dinosaurs by reading interesting facts about dinosaurs. Four late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous dinosaurs are featured as part of this fun kids' activity in Chicago – Baryonyx, Ruyang Yellow River Dinosaur, Stegosaurus, and Yangchuanosaurus.
Baryonyx Dinosaur Facts
A predatory dinosaur living in the Early Cretaceous period, Baryonyx probably had very powerful front limbs and walked around on its back legs with its tail stuck out straight for balance. It probably grew to around 30 feet long.
- Its name means "strong claw" because one of the most remarkable features of its skeleton is the sharp, curved 12-inch-long thumb claw.
- Fish scales found in its belly confirmed for scientists that Baryonyx was a fish-eater. They think Baryonyx might have reached into the water and scooped fish out with its big claw.
- Baryonyx's long, flat skull with a jaw full of teeth resembles that of the modern crocodile.
The animatronic Baryonyx at Chicago Brookfield Zoo measures 20.13' long x 3.63' wide x 10.10' tall.
Ruyang Yellow River Dinosaur Fun Facts
The largest sauropod discovered so far, the Ruyang Yellow River Dinosaur stands on four pillar-like feet and has a long neck and long tail. Scientists used the largest rib found to estimate how big around this prehistoric dinosaur's body was. The sample found measures 60 feet long.
- Its full scientific name is Huanghetitan ruyangensis, which means "the titan of the Huanghe (or the Yellow River)." Its bones were found in the Ruyang County of China.
- As a sauropod, the Ruyang Yellow River Dinosaur would have eaten only plants.
- Although the animatronic dinosaur at Brookfield Zoo spits water from time to time, there is no evidence that the original Ruyang Yellow River Dinosaur did this.
The animatronic Ruyang Yellow River Dinosaur at the Chicago Brookfield Zoo measures 60 feet long and 30 feet tall.
Stegosaurus Dinosaur Fun Facts
Stegosaurus is the largest of a group of dinosaurs characterized by the large flat plates and spines that run down their backs. It stood on four feet and had two pairs of sharp spikes at the end of its tail. It could grow to about 20 feet long.
- Its name means "plated lizard" because of the line of flat plates on its back.
- Stegosaurus was an herbivore, eating only plants.
- Scientists have several theories about the purpose of the plates on Stegosaurus' back. Perhaps they were for defense or to attract a mate. Perhaps the blood in the plates was warmed by the sun and then sent around the Stegosaurus' body to keep the rest of the beast warm.
The adult animatronic Stegosaurus at Brookfield Chicago Zoo measures 24.09' long x 4.95' wide x 11.55' tall.
Yangchuanosaurus Dinosaur Facts
Living in the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous Periods, Yangchuanosaurus was a two-legged carnosaur with sharp teeth and claws. Its long tail acted as a counter-balance for its big head when it walked. It could grow to be about 26 feet long.
- Its name means "Yangchuan lizard" because it was found in Yangchuan Country in Sichuan, China.
- Yangchaunosaurus was closely related to Allosaurus.
- It probably preyed on Chinese sauropods like Mamenchisaurus.
The animatronic Yangchuanosaurus at Chicago Brookfield Zoo measures 15.51' long x 2.64' wide x 6.60' tall.
Reading interesting dinosaur information before seeing these amazing animatronic dinosaurs in person will prepare children to both learn and have fun at Dinosaurs Alive! Read about the other prehistoric creatures featured in this animatronic dinosaur exhibition in the articles Jurassic Dinosaurs Alive Chicago Brookfield Zoo and Mid to Late Cretaceous Dinosaurs Alive. People visiting Chicago can also read a review of the Brookfield Zoo Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit.
References
- Dinosaurs Unearthed Web site. Accessed 2009-05-11.
- Lambert, David. The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs. London: Bloomsbury Books, 1994. 47, 104–105
- Lambert, David. The Ultimate Dinosaur Book. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1993. 58–59, 114–115
- Norman, Dr. David. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1998. 152–157
- Sattler, Helen Roney. The New Illustrated Dinosaur Dictionary. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1990. 66–67, 296–298, 341
- The DinoBase Public Forum. Accessed 2009-05-11.
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