Each of us has repeatedly seen dinosaurs in movies and in pictures. At the same time, we forget that once it was dinosaurs who were the masters of the planet. Iguanodons frolicked in what is now Belgium and Spain. Amargasaurs inhabited Argentina (which did not yet exist). Brachiosaurus bones found in the USA …
Would it be interesting to look into that fantastic world at least with one eye? If so, head to the St. Petersburg Dinopark. Or visit the Geological Prospecting Museum located in the same city.
Dinopark
Some people call this place a museum, but it looks more like a zoo. The dinosaur figures look just like the real thing. The height of the largest of them is about 10 meters. All of them are in the open air. You can see them on weekends.
The figures are not static: they move, imitating drinking water or eating grass. From time to time they even "give a voice".
In a word, the visitor has a complete feeling that he is transported to the Jurassic period. He feels both delight and … some relief. The thought comes: "It's so good that people and dinosaurs missed each other in time!" Living among such huge creatures would be difficult. Especially when you consider that some of them are predatory.
Below we will tell you in detail about some of the exhibits of this unusual exhibition.
Tyrannosaurus
If he were really alive, you should have stayed away from him. It is not in vain that its name contains the word "tyrant". At one time he "tyrannized" all living things. The fact is that he was an apex predator - that is, the top of the food chain. However, they say, he also did not disdain carrion.
Its appearance is, of course, quite impressive. Moreover, in reality it was even larger. The length of the largest individuals could reach almost 13 meters! Their weight was about 10 tons. And this, we note, is not yet the largest of the dinosaurs that lived on our planet.
Iguanodon
This creature, although it looked intimidating, was actually harmless. It only ate plants. The dinosaur could walk on its hind legs, and often did so.
Baryonyx
And this creepy creature preferred meat to grass and leaves. He had 96 teeth. The length of its claws could reach 35 cm. This dinosaur lived on the planet about 130 million years ago.
Brachiosaurus
As you can see in the exhibition, this dinosaur had an exceptionally long neck. The total length of this amazing creature could be more than 20 meters. At the same time, it was completely harmless. It ate only leaves. Actually, for this he needed such a long neck. In some ways, this dinosaur slightly resembles modern giraffes.
The history of its discovery is interesting. The scientist who found the brachiosaurus skeleton tried to hide this fact from the public at first. He was afraid of his colleagues: they could rush to the place of discovery and make even more impressive discoveries. But he himself wanted to continue the excavation. But the scientist's cunning plan failed. Information about the stunning animal was leaked to the press anyway.
Amargasaurus
The peculiarity of this animal is the many thorns on the back. The length of each spike was 65 cm. They were arranged in 2 rows. Scientists have long argued about their purpose. Some thought it was a kind of sail. Others insisted that the thorns were needed for protection. As a result, supporters of the 2nd theory found the greatest number of confirmations.
In addition, the thorns appear to have been essential for the mating games of the dinosaur. Given its size, I think these games looked pretty intimidating.
Geological Prospecting Museum
Another place worth visiting for dinosaur lovers is the St. Petersburg Geological Prospecting Museum. A huge dinosaur skeleton can be seen there. It was found over 100 years ago on the banks of the Amur. Moreover, they found it in the form of separate fragments. A few years later, they were assembled into a single whole.
By the way, the following fossil animals (or rather, their remains) are also exhibited in the museum:
- woolly rhinoceros;
- shell fish;
- mammoth.
So, you have the opportunity to see what the Earth looked like about 100 million years ago. Look at the amazing animals that inhabited the planet. Don't miss this opportunity! Moreover, any look into the past helps to better understand today's world.
