The Royal Ontario Museum may be known for its dinosaur casts, but T. Rex: The Ultimate Predator is bringing something new to Toronto.
The first real fossil T. rex to ever be exhibited in the city. Called “Black Beauty”, this T. rex skull is almost 1.5 meters long.
“It’s really humbling to see,” said Giovanna Diaz, a 34-year-old lawyer.
“It really makes you think about all the history that happened before we got here today,” she said.
A kid looks at a real fossil of an Albertosaurus at ROM. Photo credit: Barbara Patrocinio
Black Beauty’s rare black colour comes from minerals and sediments where the fossil was formed.
David Evans, ROM’s paleontologist, told Humber News that the way this fossil was discovered in 1980 is a tale in itself.
“A group of teenagers in Alberta went on a fishing trip and noticed a glimpse of a weird structure in a rock nearby,” he said..
“They called their teacher at the time, who called authorities, and professionals were sent to the location to do the digging,” he said.
“That’s how they have found this amazingly well-conserved specimen,” Evans said.
He said that he believes this exposition is a unique opportunity to people to come and see real specimens.
“The ROM does a lot of fieldwork and has plenty of interesting specimens showcased in this expo,” he said.
“Also, everything we know about any live animal starts with fossils. So besides seeing them in person, you will also have the chance to learn a lot about them,” Evans said.
For architect Juliana Berton, nothing compares to the experience of seeing what once was a living dinosaur.
“It’s breathtaking. I don’t think I will ever forget this experience,” she said.
“I’ve learned a lot today, but the most remarkable thing for me was to see this skull in person and be able to tell my friends I had this opportunity. It strikes you with all kinds of emotion,” Berton said.
A cast of a T. rex skull is also available for visitors to see it outside the glass protection. Photo credit: Barbara Patrocinio
The exposition also has many interactive activities and something called a “spotlight” where people can see more of the fieldwork done by professional paleontologists at the museum. It shows the process of bringing the specimens to the museum, from discovery to public exhibition.
At ROM's Spotlight, visitors have the chance to learn about the fieldwork done by paleontologists at the museum. Photo credit: Barbara Patrocinio
T. rex: The Ultimate Predator will be happening at the Royal Ontario Museum in downtown Toronto until September of this year. Tickets are available at: https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/t-rex-the-ultimate-predator