If you’ve been on the Ben Franklin Parkway this week, it’s certainly hard to miss a gigantic, animated T. rex taking residence outside the Academy of Natural Sciences. Now let’s be formal. His name is Rexie and he brought his friend Trixie the Triceratops for a six month stay to promote the new exhibit “Dinosaurs Unearthed” which opened this past weekend. Back by popular demand, visitors can look forward to a slew of animatronic dinosaurs, 15 in all, as they make their journey through the exhibit that includes an encounter with a camouflaged T. rex, interactive stations where users can make the dinosaurs roar or swing their tails and “hands-on” elements such as coprolite, aka the technical term for dinosaur poop. No emoji needed. The goal of the exhibit is to help “humanize the dinosaurs as they were a natural part of the ecosystem” says Jennifer Sontchi, exhibits director for the academy. “They’re not monsters. They had families.” So be sure to bring yours to get up-close and personal with dinosaurs this summer. It’ll be a “roaring” good time.
If you go
“Dinosaurs Unearthed”
June 25-Jan. 16, 2017
Adults: $24.95
Child: $20.95
Student, senior and military: $21.95
ansp.org
‘Dinosaurs Unearthed’ at the Academy of Natural Sciences
Mike Servedio
