The Ultimate Predator - Tyrannosaurus Rex - is back as a permanent exhibit at The Imaginarium

Anchorage, AK – The Imaginarium has created a life-size casting of a Tyrannosaurus rex that will take up permanent residence at The Imaginarium’s downtown Anchorage facility beginning Saturday, December 18, 2004.

Created by the staff of the Imaginarium and funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Science, T. rex stands 10 feet tall and 25 feet long with 6-inch, dagger-shaped teeth and foreclaws longer than a human arm. The Imaginarium’s T. rex is sure to grab your attention!

As the centerpiece of their newest exhibit, the T. rex will provide Alaskan children and adults with a chance to see and touch the size and shape of this prehistoric creature and encourage them to ask the questions that lead to learning and knowledge.

Future additions to the exhibit include hands-on pieces that will allow visitors to investigate how carnivorous dinosaurs ate and learn more about the unique features of their skeletons.

“The Imaginarium’s T.rex is amazing and truly impressive – not only because of its size and visual impact but because it was designed, created and built on-site by our Exhibits Manager, Eric Miller,“ said Chris Cable, director of The Imaginarium. “We’re thrilled to offer this unique and educational learning tool to Alaskans.”

Scientists believe that dinosaurs, birds and crocodiles evolved from the same group of reptiles. By observing and studying bones of all three, scientists have theorized that all three share a common ancestor.

This link allows scientists to formulate theories that address questions unanswered by fossil remains. For example, while sedimentary rock is excellent at preserving bone, it cannot document behaviors like what sounds a T. rex made or how it interacted with other dinosaurs.

However, by observing the characteristics and behavior of birds and crocodiles, dinosaurs’ closest relatives, scientists can formulate theories about how T. rex lived and behaved.

“One of the most important ideas in modern biology is often summed up as 'form follows function,' explains Greg Danner, The Imaginarium’s Director of Programs and Exhibits. “This simple phrase has vast implications, and is the basis for much of paleontology. For example, the shape of bird wings tell us that their form allows flight, and the shape of dinosaur bodies tell us much about the ways in which they lived, too.”

The Imaginarium’s workshops and statewide outreach will also offer groups a chance to explore this perennially intriguing topic. Public presentations, hosted by Teen Science Guides will allow visitors a chance to dig further into paleontology.

Children, adults and families can meet T. rex beginning Saturday, December 18th at The Imaginarium, located at 737 W. 5th Avenue in downtown Anchorage.

Visitors can also enjoy a planetarium show, handle animals in the Marine Touch Tanks, and experience a informative and fun hourly science demonstrations.

For more information, call The Imaginarium at 276- 3179, or visit our website at www.imaginarium.org.