Rare fossil of adolescent Tyrannosaurus - 'Teen Rex'- found by US kids
In a remarkable paleontological find, a rare fossil of an adolescent Tyrannosaurus rex has been excavated in the badlands of North Dakota. This discovery, announced by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, offers significant scientific insights into the life history of the famous dinosaur and also tells the intriguing story of the young explorers who stumbled upon the fossil.
In July 2022, brothers Liam Fisher, 9, and Jessin Fisher, 12, along with their 11-year-old cousin Kaiden Madsen, were hiking and searching for fossils with their father, Sam Fisher, on land managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management near the town of Marmarth. While exploring, Liam and his father noticed a large leg bone protruding from the ground, and the children quickly recognized it as a dinosaur fossil.
The Fishers contacted paleontologist Tyler Lyson, a Marmarth native who now works at the Denver Museum. Lyson obtained the necessary permits, and the team returned to the site in July 2023 to carefully uncover the fossil, which they had initially thought belonged to a plant-eating dinosaur. However, on the first day of the excavation, Jessin and Lyson discovered the lower jaw with distinctive Tyrannosaurus teeth.
The fossil, nicknamed "Teen Rex," is estimated to be approximately 13-15 years old and two-thirds the size of an adult Tyrannosaurus. Measuring 25 feet (7.6 meters) long and weighing 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg), the specimen is slightly larger than another juvenile T. rex fossil known as "Jane," housed at the Burpee Museum.
The discovery is particularly significant as it provides valuable insights into the growth and physical changes of Tyrannosaurus during its maturation process. Juvenile T. rex had a more gracile and streamlined body compared to adults, and this fossil could shed light on how the dinosaur's hunting strategies may have evolved as it aged.
The excavation of the fossil was documented by a film crew, and the resulting documentary, "T. REX," is set to be released on June 21, offering the public a glimpse into this remarkable scientific endeavor and the incredible tale of the young explorers who made the discovery.
