Exhibit Hall

Now Open on Level 4

Meet the ancient rulers of our planet as you examine fossil replicas of dinosaurs and prehistoric sea creatures. Orlando Science Center showcases the dinosaurs in their disparate land and aquatic settings as guests become part of a paleontological excavation site.

  • Uncover 'fossils' in the dig pit and examine fossilized dino eggs
  • Explore displays that feature ancient land and marine reptiles
  • Compare reptiles and dinosaurs to see similarities and differences
  • Discover denizens of the ancient oceans such as Elasmosaurus and Tylosaurus

 

Two-Ton “Alien” Dinosaur Discovered by North American Neighbors

12 November 2012
Posted in DinoDigs

What once roamed the earth more than 80 million years ago, scientists have found a new species of horned dinosaurs. Weighing in at two tons, this 20-foot-long beast is one of the oldest specimens known to date of the ceratopsid group!

A distant cousin to the triceratops, this massive dinosaur’s name Xenoceratops foremostensis means “alien-horned face.” The beastly creature has a rare pattern of horns on its head and above its brow.

The Xenoceratops is adorned with two hooks jutting from its forehead. It has two massive spikes that rest at the top of its head and a frilly shield around its neck.

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Fossils Reveal “Saber-Toothed Squirrel” That Resembles Ice Age Character Scrat

09 July 2012
Posted in DinoDigs

In 2002, paleontologists found the second-oldest mammal skull just outside of a rural village in northern Argentina. At the time, the skull was mostly hidden in rock and its identity remained a mystery. In 2005, scientists sent the skull to a technician who, until recently, has been removing the rock from around the fossil – finally revealing a saber-toothed, squirrel-like creature with a striking similarity to the Ice Age character Scrat. The new species, named Cronopio dentiacutus for its narrow snout and long fangs, was about 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 centimeters) long and likely used its pointy teeth to hunt and eat insects.

Both mammals and dinosaurs appeared near the end of the Triassic period, some 220 million years ago. When dinosaurs disappeared about 65 million years ago, mammals thrived. But ancient mammal fossils are still exceedingly rare, mostly because of their small sizes. As a result, paleontologists know of roughly one genus of mammal for every million years between 65 million and 220 million years ago—making for a woefully incomplete record.

cronopio-dentiacutus


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Fossil Fest 6 Digs Up the Facts

19 March 2012
Posted in DinoDigs

The Orlando Science Center hosted Fossil Fest 6 on Saturday, March 17 – a celebration of dinosaurs, paleontology and fossils. Guests mingled with the Florida Fossil Hunters and the Central Florida Shell Club as they shared specimens found on Florida expeditions.

Peter L. Larson, founder and president of Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, Inc. located in South Dakota, chatted with guests via Skype during a seminar on extinction theories for the K-T extinction – the one that killed the dinosaurs about 65 million years ago.

Little fossil hunters also enjoyed designing their own triceratops hats and paper dinosaur models plus making their own fossils. Guests were also submerged into prehistoric times with screenings of National Geographic’s Sea Monsters on the giant screen of the Dr. Phillips CineDome.

Dr. Dare’s Lab on level 4 hosted geology and paleontology experiments and a new program entitled Jr. Paleontologist was also launched, making this Fossil Fest unforgettable.


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Orlando Science Center • 777 E. Princeton Street • Orlando, Florida 32803 • Phone: 407.514.2000 • Toll Free: 888.OSC.4FUN • Email: gservices@osc.org
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