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Dinosaurs Alive!

October 19-February 24

Its time to get excited about dinosaurs! The 2nd annual Dinosaurs Alive! Life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs at the Heard exhibit opened October 19, 2007 with even more dinosaurs! There are fourteen dinosaurs including twelve life-size animatronic dinosaurs and two static baby dinosaurs that kids can play on. The exhibit gives families and friends a unique, exciting and educational activity to experience together and provide an ideal family outing during the holidays. The dinosaurs are at the Heard through Feb. 24, 2008.

  • Thirteen new dinosaurs include the Stegosaurus, Triceratops & baby, Brachiosaurus, Dilophosaurus (which randomly “spits” water!), Apatosaurus & baby, Pachycephalosaurus, Parasaurolophus & baby, Metricanthosaurus and two static baby dinosaurs that kids can climb all over.
  • Learn interesting dinosaur facts as you not only see them move, but hear them, too!
  • Check out both herbivores and carnivores and the return of the infamous Tyrannosaurus Rex!
  • A dinosaur-theme indoor exhibit also compliments the outdoor exhibit, and dinosaur toys, books, figurines, shirts and other items are available in the museum store.

  • Visitors also get the chance to experience a new Heard nature trail! The dinosaurs are situated along a ½ mile trail that features prairie habitat and has fewer steps and slopes than our other trails making it more jogging stroller and elderly-friendly; however, the trail is not handicap accessible.

Click Here to See the 2007 Dinosaurs!

Prehistoric Texas

 Loaned T-Rex and triceratops-like skulls are featured in the “Prehistoric Texas” exhibit

To compliment the fun happening outside there is a fascinating and educational in-door exhibit called Prehistoric Texas. It is a tour through early time beginning when life began and moving through early sea life, the forests of the carboniferous and up through the wild dinosaurs and sea monsters of the Cretaceous. Stressing the Texas Cretaceous, this exhibit illustrates the diversity of fossils found here and explains why we had mostly aquatic prehistoric life and few actual dinosaurs.  

The many changes in environment and climate are noted, as are extinctions. The huge elephants of the Eocene are also described and many of these prehistoric wonders are illustrated with actual bones and fossils. We have a significant collection of Cretaceous fossils including Texas echinoids, ammonites and a shark tooth collection. Various skulls are also on display including our very own Tylosaur skull as well as a loaned T-Rex skull and two dinosaur skulls from the Triceratops family. In fact, the T-Rex skull may possibly be one of the top three T-rex skulls ever unearthed! Visitors will also get to see an Ankylosaur tail club, a complete baby dinosaur skeleton, a Duckbill skull and a six-foot Pterandon Wing. An impressive collection of petrified wood will also be on display as well as a few other surprises! 

This beautiful mural painted by artists, Oksana Marchenko and Jane Burrell features prehistoric dinosaurs, insects and other creatures. Kid’s can point out the different creatures, learn about the fossilization process, color and do other fun activities in this room.

painted by artists, Oksana Marchenko and Jane Burrell

painted by artists, Oksana Marchenko and Jane Burrell

 

Thank you to all of our 2007 Dinosaurs Alive! Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor
Bessie Heard Foundation
 
Sponsored in Part by

Children's Medical Center      Encore Wire      Mckinney MCDC      

KLAK 97.5     Dallas Morning News

Neighbors Go     WFAA

Bank of America      Evelyn's

The Great Outdoors      Market Street

Kids Kaleidoscope


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