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Dinosaurs Exhibit
Special Exhibit! Apr 1-Oct 31, 2013
Opens daily 10 a.m.
Dinosaurs, those so-called “terrible lizards” that thrilled North Carolina Zoo visitors both young and old during an eight-month stay in 2012, are returning for a second triumphant appearance. 
These snarling, roaring, moving replicas of a lost era that helped set zoo attendance records last year are back again in a specially created winding pathway near the zoo’s African Pavilion.
One of the North Carolina Zoo's animals is on the loose--but the public need not worry. This 11-foot-long critter is safely contained in the bed of a Chevrolet pickup. More on the traveling dinosaur.
2013 Dinosaurs
Welcome a whole new cast of creatures for the 2013 “Dinosaurs” experience that promises to be bigger and badder!
Giganotosaurus: this massive dinosaur will take the place of the Tyrannosaurus Rex in the new collection. “Giga” is actually believed to have been larger than the T-Rex, with a huge skull more than six feet long. Remains of this "Giant Southern Lizard" helped show scientists that North Africa and South America were joined together much later than previously believed. Found in Argentina, “Giga” lived in the early and late Cretaceous Period 90-100 million years ago (m.y.a.).
Dilophosaurus: the "double or two-crested lizard." They gained fame when it appeared as a much smaller dinosaur in the original Jurassic Park movie. Evidence does not show that it spit poison or had a frill around it's head as in the movie. But from the early Jurassic (180-200 m.y.a.), dilophosaurus was the top predator of its time and is one of the few dinosaurs to have been found in what is now modern Arizona.
Acrocanthosaurus: A very large early Cretaceous carnivorous dinosaur (105-115 m.y.a.) whose name means "high spined lizard" with the type species found in Oklahoma.
Amargasaurus: A relatively "new" early cretaceous (127 - 132 m.y.a.) sauropod dinosaur discovered in Argentina in 1991. The "La Amarga Lizard" featured elongated pairs of spines running from base of the head down to the base of the neck.
Citipati: A late Cretaceous (75 m.y.a.) Oviraptorid dinosaur whose name is from the Sanskrit words meaning "funeral pyre lord" and found in what is now the central plains of Asia. This emu-sized creature had a distinct toothless head crest and proto-feathers.
Edmontonia: One of the last known dinosaurs alive, this heavy, tank- like creature was similar to Ankylosaurus but was from a separate family called the Nodosaurs.
Parasaurolophus: With the name of "near saurolophus" this massive duck-billed dinosaur had a distinct elongated crest is believed to have functioned as a resonating chamber, possibly sending low, deep, sub-sonic sounds to herd members miles and miles away.
Pachycephalosaurus: This "thick-headed lizard" was named for the ten-inch thick boney dome on its head. The dome-shaped head was probably used for butting other males or used for defense.
Triceratops: Easily one of the most well-known and recognizable dinosaurs. "Three horned face" was a huge frilled dinosaur with three distinct horns on its face.
Coelophysis: One of the first dinosaurs, their hollow bones probably make then quicker and more agile than their prey. They probably hunted in packs.
Deltadromeus: beep beep! What does this ancient predator have in common with the roadrunner? Speed! Based on its streamlined shape and powerful long legs, deltadromeus is considered one of the fastest dinosaurs to ever live.
Quetzalcoatlus: While ancient, this animal was not a dinosaur. It does however hold the title of largest flying animal ever discovered--about the size of a Cessna airplane! It is named after the Aztex god Quetzalcoatl.
Styracosaurus: This eighteen foot long herbivore had six spines along the edge of its frill (crest). They probably traveled in herds relying on numbers and a two-foot long horn for protection.
Don't forget your ticket!
Be sure to purchase the COMBO PASS for your best value. You'll get admission to the Zoo plus THREE FUN TICKETS to use in any combination at the following venues: Dinosaur Exhibit, 4-D Theatre and Carousel. Otherwise, individual tickets are $4 each for admission to the Dinosaurs Exhibit (purchase at Junction Plaza).
Located on the Dino trail, near the
Forest Aviary in the Africa Region.
What is an animatronic dinosaur?
What is an animatronic dinosaur?
What is an animatronic dinosaur?
What is an animatronic dinosaur?
Real dinosaurs became extinct a long time ago, but these life-like "built" dinosaurs offer best-guess snapshots of those prehistoric animals based on the most up-to-date research. Each dinosaur is fitted with its own electronic brain to control the movements and to produce sounds. The realistic movements are powered by a pneumatic system that enables the dinosaurs to move smoothly and precisely.
Created by Billings Productions, a Texas company specializing in state-of-the-art dinosaur exhibits for zoos, theme parks and other tourist attractions, each Dinosaur is built on a steel frame with hydraulic movements that include grasping hands, menacing claws and gnashing teeth. Then they’re meticulously covered with textured, intricately painted rubber skin featuring bold colors and theatrical touches that make them seem all too real. This year Billings added artifical feathers to the Citipati creature.