London’s Natural History Museum is now home to one of the largest creatures to have ever roamed the planet, Patagotitan mayorum.
The 2.67-tonne titanosaur cast is four times heavier than Dippy the diplodocus and 12 metres longer than Hope the blue whale.
On display through 7 January 2024, Patagotitan mayorum is the most complete gigantic dinosaur ever discovered.
Per a press release, titanosaurs were the biggest animals on the planet – and Patagotian mayorum is one of the largest known titanosaurs. The living animal weighed around 57 tonnes, which is about the same as eight T-Rex’s.
The titanosaur cast is part of an interactive exhibition exploring these colossal dinosaurs through interactive games and experiences.
“Since the term dinosaur was coined back in 1842 by the founding director of the Natural History Museum, these ‘terrible lizards’ have captured the imaginations of children everywhere,” said Alex Burch, the museum’s director of public programmes.
“These awe-inspiring giants entice children to science and inspire them about the natural world – helping them become advocates for the planet from an early age.”
Patagotitan mayorum was provided by the Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio in Trelew, Argentina.
Living titanosaur weighed 57 tonnes
“There is nothing that comes close to Patagotitan walking the Earth today – so in this case, seeing is believing,” said Doug Gurr, the Natural History Museum‘s director.
“The large animals that we share the planet with today continue to play vital ecosystem roles – from elephants and rhinos to blue whales – but they are increasingly at risk of extinction from habitat loss and other devastating human impacts.
“We must connect the next generation with the natural world to protect the large animals of today before it’s too late.”
Last month, the Natural History Museum’s Dippy the dinosaur arrived in Coventry. In London, the museum has turned one of its shops into a Jurassic Park-themed retail experience.
Images: Natural History Museum
