Life science · 6-8
T. rex was a huge two-legged predator from western North America. Its deep jaws held about 60 saw-edged teeth that could crush bone, while a strong sense of smell helped it locate food. Fossil bite marks show that it fed on dinosaurs such as Triceratops.
Museum facts
Triceratops had two long brow horns, a shorter nose horn and a broad neck frill. Its sharp beak clipped plants, while rows of teeth sliced tough leaves. Healed horn injuries and bite marks suggest that some individuals survived encounters with T. rex.
Museum facts
Stegosaurus was a slow plant-eater with tall bony plates standing in two alternating rows along its back. Its powerful tail carried four long spikes for defence. Scientists still debate whether the plates helped with display, recognition, temperature control, or several jobs at once.
Museum facts
Real Velociraptor was a small feathered hunter, closer to the size of a large turkey than the giants shown in films. It lived in what is now Mongolia, ran on two legs and carried a curved sickle claw on each foot. Its long stiff tail helped it balance while turning.
Museum facts
Ankylosaurus was a wide, low plant-eater protected by bony plates embedded in its skin. A heavy club at the end of its tail probably helped defend it from large predators. No complete skeleton has been found, so scientists compare separate fossils and related armoured dinosaurs.
Museum facts
Diplodocus was one of the longest dinosaurs, with an extremely long neck and whip-like tail. Comb-shaped teeth at the front of its small mouth stripped soft plants and leaves. Strong ligaments probably helped support its neck in a mostly horizontal position without constant muscle effort.
Museum facts
Spinosaurus was a giant African predator with a narrow crocodile-like snout, cone-shaped teeth and a tall sail on its back. Short hind legs and a wide paddle-like tail suggest a life closely connected to water. It caught fish, though scientists still debate how strongly it could swim.
Museum facts
Parasaurolophus was a duck-billed plant-eater with a long hollow crest connected to its nose. Air passing through the tubes may have produced deep calls for communication. It usually walked on four legs but could rise onto two, and fossil skin shows a pebbled, scaly surface.
Museum facts
Brachiosaurus was a very tall North American sauropod. Its front legs were longer than its back legs, lifting the shoulders and long neck high above the ground to reach leaves. No complete skeleton is known, so some reconstructions also use evidence from its close relative Giraffatitan.
Museum facts
Carnotaurus was an Argentine predator with a deep, short skull and two horns above its eyes—the only known horned abelisaur. Its arms were tiny vestigial features inherited from longer-armed ancestors. Strong legs and a flexible lower jaw helped this unusual hunter move and feed.
Museum factsShort explanations, worked examples, hands-on practice, optional checks, and a note for grown-ups.
Begin with an overview of “What was a dinosaur?”. Then learn the main idea, follow an example, and try it yourself.
8 minBegin with an overview of “Fossil detectives”. Then learn the main idea, follow an example, and try it yourself.
8 minBegin with an overview of “Teeth, plants, and prey”. Then learn the main idea, follow an example, and try it yourself.
8 minBegin with an overview of “Built to survive”. Then learn the main idea, follow an example, and try it yourself.
8 minBegin with an overview of “A very long timeline”. Then learn the main idea, follow an example, and try it yourself.
8 minBegin with an overview of “Extinction—and the dinosaurs still here”. Then learn the main idea, follow an example, and try it yourself.
8 min