A family on a hike in North Dakota made a remarkable discovery when they stumbled upon what appeared to be a dinosaur leg protruding from a rock. The Fisher family, consisting of a dad, his two sons, and their cousin, were experienced fossil hunters and recognized the significance of the find in the Hell Creek Formation.
Upon closer inspection, the family realized they had found a rare juvenile T. rex skeleton, which they named “Teen Rex.” The discovery was confirmed by paleontologist Dr. Tyler Lyson, who spearheaded the excavation process with the help of the Fisher family.
The fossil, estimated to be 66 million years old, was carefully extracted from the rock and transported to a museum for further study. The process of cleaning and separating the bones is expected to take up to a year, allowing visitors to witness the scientific work firsthand.
Despite the skeleton being about 30% complete, researchers are optimistic about finding more bones within the rock. The discovery of a juvenile T. rex is particularly significant, as such fossils are rare due to their smaller size and softer bones.
The findings from this excavation are expected to shed light on the debate surrounding juvenile T. rex specimens and their classification as a separate species called Nanotyrannus. The scientific study outlining the discovery is set to be published in the coming years, providing valuable insights into the prehistoric world of dinosaurs.
Overall, the Fisher family’s chance discovery has opened up new opportunities for research and exploration in the field of paleontology, offering a glimpse into the life of a young T. rex millions of years ago. The excavation process and subsequent analysis are sure to captivate both scientists and dinosaur enthusiasts alike, further enriching our understanding of these fascinating creatures.