Next time the kids resist putting down their screens to play outside, remind them of the incredible dinosaur discovery made by the Fisher brothers and their cousin. Jessin Fisher, 12, Liam Fisher, 9, and Kaiden Madsen, 11, found a rare juvenile T. rex fossil in the Badlands of North Dakota. This discovery is now showcased in the “Discovering Teen Rex” exhibition at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. These kids are also featured in a documentary called “T. Rex,” being screened at various museums, including the Field Museum in Chicago. Watch this video to see how the Teen Rex discovery unfolded.
Liam Fisher exclaimed, “My friends didn’t believe me. They will have to believe me now,” during the documentary premiere and exhibit opening in June in Denver.
The “Teen Rex” fossil was estimated to be around 14-16 years old, living about 67 million years ago. It is a rare juvenile T. rex specimen, offering researchers valuable insights into the growth and development of these predators during their rapid growth phase. Dr. Tyler Lyson, curator of paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, describes it as one of the more complete juvenile T. rex fossils found.
Dr. Lyson hopes that the discovery will inspire other young individuals to pursue their passions, emphasizing that age is no barrier to making a significant impact. Jessin Fisher aspires to become a paleontologist and encourages kids to explore the outdoors, stating, “This is so cool.”
At around 25 feet long and weighing 3,500 pounds, the Teen Rex is a fraction of the size of a fully grown adult T. Rex, which could reach 40 feet in length and weigh up to 8,000 pounds. Dinosaur enthusiasts can explore various dinosaur exhibits across the country and engage with museum digital offerings for further knowledge and discovery.
Visitors to the Denver Museum can witness the meticulous process of uncovering the fossil from the plaster jacket in a new prep lab. As new bones are revealed, they will be displayed on a poster board showcasing the Teen Rex’s skeleton.
For the Fisher family, the discovery was an unexpected but thrilling adventure, highlighting the potential for anyone, regardless of age, to make groundbreaking discoveries. Sam Fisher, the boys’ father, notes their passion for hiking and dinosaur fossil hunting. The boys stumbled upon the Teen Rex’s shin bone in the Badlands near their North Dakota home, sparking a remarkable journey of exploration and scientific discovery.
(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The fourth edition of The Kid’s Guide to New York City and the third edition of The Kid’s Guide to Washington D.C. are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)
