The Natural History Museum is set to display the full cast of a skeleton of a titanosaur, one of the largest creatures to have ever roamed the Earth.
From 31 March 2023, visitors will be able to walk beneath the enormous titanosaur cast, the most complete gigantic dinosaur ever discovered.
Located inside the 9-metre-high Waterhouse gallery, Patagotitan mayorum is four times heavier than Dippy the diplodocus and 12 metres longer than Hope the blue whale.
Professor Paul Barrett, the science lead on the exhibition, said: “Patagotitan mayorum is an incredible specimen that tells us more about giant titanosaurs than ever before.
“Comparable in weight to more than nine African elephants, this star specimen will inspire visitors to care for some of the planet’s largest and most vulnerable creatures, which face similar challenges for survival, and show that within Earth’s ecosystems, size really does matter.”
Four times heavier than Dippy the diplodocus
The new exhibition will also include interactive elements, with guests learning about the titanosaur. Visitors will see how they compare to a huge titanosaur femur bone, look between the eyes of a vast sauropod skull, and smell dinosaur poo.
“We are so excited that Patagotitan, the most complete giant dinosaur ever discovered, is making its European debut here at the Natural History Museum, the home of the dinosaur,” said Dr Alex Burch, director of public programmes at the museum.
“Our fascination with dinosaurs provides the ideal opportunity to inspire and inform the next generation about the natural world, and empower them to act for the planet.”
On display at the Natural History Museum through 7 January 2024, the titanosaur cast has been provided by the Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio in Trelew, Patagonia.
The Natural History Museum has also unveiled its animatronic T-Rex dressed in a new enormous Christmas jumper.
Images: NHM / MEF
