Mid to Late Cretaceous Dinosaurs Brookfield Zoo
Deinonychus, Parasaurolophus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex Facts
May 12, 2009
Chicago parents, kids, and tourists visiting Chicago can get ready for an educational and enjoyable visit to the Chicago Brookfield Zoo Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit of life-sized and life-like animatronic dinosaurs by reading interesting facts about dinosaurs. Four Mid to Late Cretaceous dinosaurs and one pterosaur are featured as part of this fun children's activity in Chicago – Deinonychus, Parasaurolophus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Pteranodon.
Deinonychus Dinosaur Fun Facts
A swift and vicious meat-eater, Deinonychus walked and ran on two feet, with a long stiff tail held out straight to help it balance its body. Smaller than many dinosaurs, it could grow to about 9 to 11 feet long.
- Its name means "terrible claw," because one of its most distinctive features is the long, sickle-shaped claw on each of its feet that it most likely used to grab and possibly slash open its prey.
- Deinonychus had large, serrated teeth that curved backwards, probably to help the teeth cut more easily through the meat of its prey.
- Deinonychus probably hunted in packs, leaping and kicking to subdue larger prey.
The animatronic Deinonychus at Chicago Brookfield Zoo measures 12.21' long x 1.65' wide x 4.95' tall.
Parasaurolophus Dinosaur Facts
One of the hadrosaurs, or duck-billed dinosaurs, Parasaurolophus sports a crest made of a long tube (one that could grow to 5 or 6 feet) on its head. Its duck-like features include webbed hands and its spoon-shaped bill. Parasaurolophus could grow to about 30 feet long.
- Its name means "similar crested lizard" because the crest on Parasaurolophus' head resembles that on the head of Saurolophus (whose name means just "crested lizard").
- Some theories scientists have suggested for how Parasaurolophus used the crest include to signal information, to improve its sense of smell, and for air storage while swimming underwater.
- Families visiting Chicago can see an interactive Parasaurolophus model at The Field Museum of Natural History.
The animatronic Parasaurolophus at the Brookfield Zoo measures 25.08' long x 5.28' wide x 11.22' tall.
Triceratops Dinosaur Fun Facts
One of the largest of the group of horned dinosaurs, Triceratops walked on four legs and had a body that resembled that of a modern rhinoceros. Triceratops had a head decorated with a frill, a nose horn, and two long brow horns. It could grow to about 25 to 29 feet long.
- Its name means "three-horned face" because it has three horns.
- Over time, when examining the differences between sample Triceratops skulls, scientists have thought there were as many as 16 and as few as two or one different Triceratops species.
- A plant-eater, Triceratops has a toothless, turtle-like beak and teeth that work like scissors to cut food.
The animatroic Triceratops at Brookfield Zoo measures 30.69' long x 5.28' wide x 12.54' tall.
Tyrannosaurus Rex Dinosaur Fun Facts
The largest carnivorous dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex stood and ran on two strong legs and held its heavy tail straight to balance its enormous, tooth-filled head. Though huge, Tyrannosaurus had hollow bones that lessened how much it weighed. It could grow to about 50 feet from top to tail.
- Its name means "tyrant lizard" because it is so big and powerfully equipped with teeth and claws.
- Though its forelimbs are small, it is still armed with sharp claws, and the arms themselves are powerful.
- Tourists looking for other dinosaur-related things to do in Chicago can visit Sue, the largest complete Tyrannosaurus rex, at The Field Museum.
The adult animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex at the Brookfield Chicago Zoo measures 46.20' long x 8.91' wide x 25.00' tall.
Pteranodon Facts
A Pteranodon is a pterosaur, not a true dinosaur. Pterosaurs, or "winged lizards," are flying reptiles with reptilian features but hollow bones and warm blood like birds.
- The name Pteranodon means "winged and toothless," which describes this prehistoric flying creature.
- One of its most remarkable feature is the long crest on its head.
- It ate fish and may have had fur.
The animatronic Pteranodon at Chicago Brookfield Zoo measures 8.25' long x 4.62' wide x 1.98' tall.
Before visiting this exciting Chicago tourist attraction, find out a little about the animatronic creatures featured in it. People planning a visit to the Brookfield Zoo can read other facts about dinosaurs displayed in this special exhibition in the articles Jurassic Dinosaurs Alive Chicago Brookfield Zoo and Early Cretaceous Dinosaurs Alive. People visiting Chicago can also read a review of the Brookfield Zoo's Dinosaurs Alive exhibit.
References
- Dinosaurs Unearthed Web site. Accessed 2009-05-11.
- Lambert, David. The Ultimate Dinosaur Book. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1993. 54–57, 70–71, 164–167
- Norman, Dr. David. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1998. 56–61, 68–73, 134–139
- Sattler, Helen Roney. The New Illustrated Dinosaur Dictionary. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1990. 110–111, 232–233, 257–260, 327, 332–333
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