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Houston Museum of Natural Science + T. rex Victoria - July 2021


ThePhysicist

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I was in the area, so I made a very brief stop by the HMNS. I'll state up-front that this will be extremely dino-centric. :trex:

 

What I saw was really great, they have a chronologically-organized display of animals from stromatolites to humans (I only made it to the Cretaceous). The lighting is very dramatic, so seeing it in person is much better than the dark photos portray (I did edit a few of them to enhance visibility). Lots of dynamic posing which is nice compared to other museums. Also, most specimens aren't behind glass, and you can get really close. I believe most of the skeletons are casts (except for a couple of exceptional ones), but they're done well and don't disappoint. 

 

They currently have Victoria the T. rex as a traveling exhibit, although I think it has been recently moved and reduced in size to make room for the new traveling exhibit. She's one of the most complete individuals of T. rex and only slightly smaller than Sue (12' tall, 40' long, ~10.5 tons). Victoria was found in SD in 2013. She died sometime in her 20's (?), possibly from an infected bite on her lower jaw from another T. rex

 

IMG_1990.thumb.jpeg.eaa2d63e0d7f2fa190b91670f96f6e96.jpeg

 

IMG_1988.thumb.jpeg.2b11b756f988e49f8c69966c6869a5ee.jpeg

 

IMG_1982.thumb.jpeg.c8af4168dd6d72fb53ba671a229c4a63.jpeg

 

IMG_1943.thumb.jpeg.a223c0edfdcfda5c0e0e3fcad0b31d84.jpeg

 

IMG_1941.thumb.jpeg.84247faa0eb877498337dfbb82e121d5.jpeg

 

IMG_1938.thumb.jpeg.8802b3a0bf19bc80da010c20d059a9da.jpeg

 

Various elements:

 

I think the feet aren't original.

 

IMG_1972.thumb.jpeg.1902219bf8c8526316b8d5aafa63cd45.jpeg

 

IMG_1979.thumb.jpeg.f0d7aae833ce5f88ebbbdb1e277f02d6.jpeg

 

Coracoids, furcula, gastralia:

 

IMG_1973.thumb.jpeg.9bcd9b76f3eab7ccee533430a6ccde41.jpeg

 

IMG_1977.thumb.jpeg.1b9082630a750212c364ff3373833aa0.jpeg

 

Caudal vertebrae:

 

IMG_1980.thumb.jpeg.7a70d00ed783a7dc5762f587787a8f60.jpeg

 

Cervical vertebrae, some are fused:

 

IMG_1975.thumb.jpeg.cdce0136ea895105c1bd4fe11cf2a011.jpeg

 

They had one of her femurs and her skull displayed separately:

 

IMG_1946.thumb.jpeg.7d74510d7b8cef06d1d5d65552a0ca6f.jpeg

 

IMG_1984.thumb.jpeg.1babbc846fe3b71d6203ccf6ea3c8043.jpeg

Edited by ThePhysicist
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"Argumentation cannot suffice for the discovery of new work, since the subtlety of Nature is greater many times than the subtlety of argument." - Carl Sagan

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." - Richard Feynman

 

Collections: Hell Creek Microsite | Hell Creek/Lance | Dinosaurs | Sharks | SquamatesPost Oak Creek | North Sulphur RiverLee Creek | Aguja | Permian | Devonian | Triassic | Harding Sandstone

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The skull is mostly complete with some bones apparently never preserved before (or as well) in a T. rex. It was really neat to get this close.

 

IMG_1949.thumb.jpeg.6c536ac459d907cc98778941c08b2631.jpeg

 

IMG_1959.thumb.jpeg.e6312a087e1840cffc95fb9f37581f39.jpeg

 

IMG_1960.thumb.jpeg.62635016cc32308c11f68e86a3b8b81c.jpeg

 

IMG_1961.thumb.jpeg.f976e4d7ad1220d156a93c222bb26834.jpeg

 

IMG_1950.thumb.jpeg.1cda76c328c4255d771e68928b0a06ac.jpeg

 

IMG_1962.thumb.jpeg.ba6268d5ec54015c5ee5147355dcadc9.jpeg

 

IMG_1963.thumb.jpeg.e93a4d80bd3e92c45a74a06cb347d9af.jpeg

 

IMG_1964.thumb.jpeg.1b659da01049dbb2d39a6d2f4721330b.jpeg

 

I can't make out bite marks, I think they're more on the underside:

 

IMG_1952.thumb.jpeg.b21276449344fb926b7276cea3964f1d.jpeg

 

Replacement teeth visible:

 

IMG_1970.thumb.jpeg.31d233f21d68bbc0d6c8de5113d0d40d.jpeg

 

IMG_1967.thumb.jpeg.70e48fdebfc9661a82225c2ac5cbde32.jpeg

 

Pterygoid and Vomer bones visible ("never seen before" in a T. rex):

 

IMG_1958.thumb.jpeg.0c91a98775d591f7ae4b7a66d225810b.jpeg

 

 

Edited by ThePhysicist
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"Argumentation cannot suffice for the discovery of new work, since the subtlety of Nature is greater many times than the subtlety of argument." - Carl Sagan

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." - Richard Feynman

 

Collections: Hell Creek Microsite | Hell Creek/Lance | Dinosaurs | Sharks | SquamatesPost Oak Creek | North Sulphur RiverLee Creek | Aguja | Permian | Devonian | Triassic | Harding Sandstone

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Now on to the main, permanent exhibit:

 

Strelley Pool stromatolite:

IMG_1993.thumb.jpeg.9770a726e28e4771f757c164de1bfedd.jpeg

 

IMG_1991.thumb.jpeg.2cb9e13f177f3fd5d282a61b0c759106.jpeg

 

Banded Iron:

IMG_2042.thumb.jpeg.64246cb9744abb19dde1763afb394bb3.jpeg

 

IMG_2041.thumb.jpeg.4554435ed09eb73c707ea3351885fce9.jpeg

 

Dimetrodon and model:

IMG_1997.thumb.jpeg.2a00856dda06f7180cbbc170ba577ef5.jpeg

 

IMG_1998.thumb.jpeg.c5fd7936b923241eb54851aeee9e46e6.jpeg

 

IMG_1996.thumb.jpeg.55960aed2203b67a7d45653e36f24131.jpeg

 

IMG_1995.thumb.jpeg.4be9a135314b5f9c2a55d8600f9ebbad.jpeg

 

Gorgonopsid:

IMG_1999.thumb.jpeg.08fe85870f6e8f30404a2b2538b6f8b9.jpeg

 

Rhamphorhynchus:

IMG_1994.thumb.jpeg.bb590dfd966f948802a59c045bf2fd6b.jpeg

 

Allosaurus (looks like "Big Al Two" cast from BHI):

IMG_2001.thumb.jpeg.5c83e38447a1eb78615a912376bba5d0.jpeg

 

IMG_2040.thumb.jpeg.93e43d10d0915fc5f2122a790d793185.jpeg

 

Stegosaurus ?armatus (very unusual pose, likely "Sarah" cast from BHI):

IMG_2002.thumb.jpeg.542a108033bc90708dc73a85894f7ae1.jpeg

 

Deinonychus antirrhopus:

IMG_2003.thumb.jpeg.2e15f0ebf6f9cc058cd5c3b564aeadda.jpeg

 

IMG_2004.thumb.jpeg.61a406c9411d5cef3251b15c88429787.jpeg

 

Acrocanthosaurus atokensis (probably BHI cast):

IMG_2005.thumb.jpeg.93e398dffea7ca8ed180a9eb9b0a8f1b.jpeg

 

IMG_2007.thumb.jpeg.593dbe510dc50c8fd06899d18428993d.jpeg

 

Very blade-like teeth:

 

IMG_2008.thumb.jpeg.a7d2c8c90fc29ddb21fe94c16328c0d9.jpeg

 

T. rex ("Wyrex") and Denversaurus cf. schlessmani ("Tank" cast from BHI):

IMG_2013.thumb.jpeg.5235903d57c798c46f3032889bf666a0.jpeg

 

IMG_2014.thumb.jpeg.24ecb296f9b52cfda271b6a3cbcc6ae7.jpeg

 

Wyrex foot and hands (Wyrex has some of the best-preserved feet found, and best hands):

 

IMG_2031.thumb.jpeg.f25a431d11ef674f2e2a089e815ce64f.jpeg

 

IMG_2030.thumb.jpeg.bf5e674bede285922ad59f074f53044f.jpeg

 

T. rex ("Bucky"):

IMG_2027.thumb.jpeg.e8e30642aaa5533fe3420dcef47319f4.jpeg

 

IMG_2028.thumb.jpeg.2a30d7a41f9bef25e499330c22dc65a6.jpeg

 

IMG_2026.thumb.jpeg.c4be843a4a7cdc1a265107e7729bb102.jpeg

 

IMG_2032.thumb.jpeg.758829ef4bf8680f100687717803e90a.jpeg

 

Edmontosaurus annectens (juvenile and adult casts from BHI):

IMG_2033.thumb.jpeg.90d14006291c3220ea8edf462641fb85.jpeg

 

Tylosaurus ?proriger:

IMG_2024.thumb.jpeg.84c8d695400b6973195c43fefc1de67b.jpeg

Edited by ThePhysicist
Added more pictures + links (underlined)
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"Argumentation cannot suffice for the discovery of new work, since the subtlety of Nature is greater many times than the subtlety of argument." - Carl Sagan

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." - Richard Feynman

 

Collections: Hell Creek Microsite | Hell Creek/Lance | Dinosaurs | Sharks | SquamatesPost Oak Creek | North Sulphur RiverLee Creek | Aguja | Permian | Devonian | Triassic | Harding Sandstone

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Finally, there's "Lane" the Triceratops:

IMG_2010.thumb.jpeg.76c9420465ca5b38555af6d76c6391ef.jpeg

 

(Archelon, Quetzalcoatlus, and a mammoth in the background.)

 

IMG_2012.thumb.jpeg.f0093fdc747947495af235c41d490930.jpeg

 

IMG_2022.thumb.jpeg.2c94ad1278ab80b02f07926881feeeed.jpeg

 

Lane is one of the most complete individuals found, and has skin preserved:

 

Negative:

IMG_2015.thumb.jpeg.8c814fdca95ff89db9a30db357cbc6b2.jpeg

Positive:

IMG_2017.thumb.jpeg.4482d2c70c02970b0975b3b1ab4c7873.jpeg

 

IMG_2016.thumb.jpeg.e7c3eea740e658e7875ebd1b494949e3.jpeg

 

He was posed with what I'm assuming is a cast of T. rex Stan (didn't check to see "who" it was), in a face-off that likely didn't happen often in reality (blocked faces for privacy):

 

IMG_2011.thumb.jpeg.7d89fb6a17f031dab414b0dd2765611f.jpeg

 

IMG_2021.thumb.jpeg.963af6da20c6646eaf6af7ac33d2a183.jpeg

 

IMG_2019.thumb.jpeg.2f545687bde5417c9a6f7a491fefc818.jpeg

 

That's all, folks. Hopefully, I'll be back to see the entire museum, because it deserves more than the time I spent. Hope you enjoyed!

 

Edited by ThePhysicist
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"Argumentation cannot suffice for the discovery of new work, since the subtlety of Nature is greater many times than the subtlety of argument." - Carl Sagan

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." - Richard Feynman

 

Collections: Hell Creek Microsite | Hell Creek/Lance | Dinosaurs | Sharks | SquamatesPost Oak Creek | North Sulphur RiverLee Creek | Aguja | Permian | Devonian | Triassic | Harding Sandstone

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Thoroughly enjoyed your report. One photo has sent me on a cyber quest to view the impressions and petrified skin found on Lane. 

 

Thank you for posting. 

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17 hours ago, Christine.Rowland said:

Thoroughly enjoyed your report. One photo has sent me on a cyber quest to view the impressions and petrified skin found on Lane. 

 

Thank you for posting. 

Yes Lane is quite cool, I didn't know about the potential "bristles." 

  • I Agree 1

"Argumentation cannot suffice for the discovery of new work, since the subtlety of Nature is greater many times than the subtlety of argument." - Carl Sagan

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." - Richard Feynman

 

Collections: Hell Creek Microsite | Hell Creek/Lance | Dinosaurs | Sharks | SquamatesPost Oak Creek | North Sulphur RiverLee Creek | Aguja | Permian | Devonian | Triassic | Harding Sandstone

Instagram: @thephysicist_tff

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  • 1 month later...

Excellent photos thank you for sharing! I loved the first T-rex skull such an amazing find and preservation. Can only imagine what such a skull would be worth. 

I really feel they keep portraying the T-rex in a wrong position, way to much downwards running. While it would press out much too much weight on its legs, I only think he bowed down while he went eating or biting / drinking. I think he walked much more upwards, but hey just a thought. :dinothumb:

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17 hours ago, Phos_01 said:

Excellent photos thank you for sharing! I loved the first T-rex skull such an amazing find and preservation. Can only imagine what such a skull would be worth. 

I really feel they keep portraying the T-rex in a wrong position, way to much downwards running. While it would press out much too much weight on its legs, I only think he bowed down while he went eating or biting / drinking. I think he walked much more upwards, but hey just a thought. :dinothumb:

Thanks, glad you enjoyed! That skull was definitely a highlight of the visit.

 

As for posture, well for one thing, the display's possible positions are limited by the low ceiling. Second, if the tail is heavy enough, it acts as a counter-balance so that the net torque about the pelvis is less than you might be imagining. If you're curious about why scientists position T. rex in this way, I suggest reading on biomechanics - because there's a reason behind it, however unintuitive! 

 

"The Posture of Tyrannosaurus rex: Why Do Student Views Lag Behind the Science?" https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1164225.pdf

- one can also follow the references to get to the actual science the text refers to

  • I found this Informative 4

"Argumentation cannot suffice for the discovery of new work, since the subtlety of Nature is greater many times than the subtlety of argument." - Carl Sagan

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." - Richard Feynman

 

Collections: Hell Creek Microsite | Hell Creek/Lance | Dinosaurs | Sharks | SquamatesPost Oak Creek | North Sulphur RiverLee Creek | Aguja | Permian | Devonian | Triassic | Harding Sandstone

Instagram: @thephysicist_tff

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  • 9 months later...

Great photo's! Its not an easy exhibition hall to photograph. I've got some experience with HMNS and I can say yep, that's a cast of Stan facing down Lane. I always understood the two Edmontosaurs were original fossils even if they were composites and the mounts are pretty old school. the BHI link you included does indicate HMNS has the original juvenile specimen but the adult says its on display in Japan so I'll have to bug the curator about this at some point for clarification. "Dipsy" the diplodocus there is also an original fossil as well, for years the ribs were rubber casts but they replaced those with the originals a few years back.

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On 6/25/2022 at 5:12 PM, CDiggs said:

Great photo's! Its not an easy exhibition hall to photograph. I've got some experience with HMNS and I can say yep, that's a cast of Stan facing down Lane. I always understood the two Edmontosaurs were original fossils even if they were composites and the mounts are pretty old school. the BHI link you included does indicate HMNS has the original juvenile specimen but the adult says its on display in Japan so I'll have to bug the curator about this at some point for clarification. "Dipsy" the diplodocus there is also an original fossil as well, for years the ribs were rubber casts but they replaced those with the originals a few years back.

Thanks for the correction, I think I read that about the Edmonto's sometime after the visit.

 

Also, the Lane on display at the time of this visit was a replica - the original I believe was on a temporary display in China. 

"Argumentation cannot suffice for the discovery of new work, since the subtlety of Nature is greater many times than the subtlety of argument." - Carl Sagan

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." - Richard Feynman

 

Collections: Hell Creek Microsite | Hell Creek/Lance | Dinosaurs | Sharks | SquamatesPost Oak Creek | North Sulphur RiverLee Creek | Aguja | Permian | Devonian | Triassic | Harding Sandstone

Instagram: @thephysicist_tff

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