One of the largest creatures to ever walk the Earth will be on display at the Museum of Natural History next year.
Patagotitan mayorum, a member of the titanosaur sauropod family, was four times heavier than Dippy the Diplodocus and 12 meters longer than Hope the blue whale, other inhabitants of the museum.
Weighing 57 tonnes, it is said to have shook the ground as it wandered through what is now known as Patagonia in Argentina, experts say.
And he will make his European debut next spring when his 37-metre skeleton is crammed into the museum’s massive Waterhouse Gallery, which has a nine-metre high ceiling.
Professor Paul Barrett, Chief Scientist of the exhibit, said: “Patagotitan mayorum is an incredible specimen that tells us more about giant titanosaurs than ever before.
“Comparable in weight to more than nine African elephants, this flagship specimen will inspire visitors to care for some of the largest and most vulnerable creatures on the planet, which face similar challenges to survival, and will show that in Earth’s ecosystems, size really matters.”
Dr. Alex Burch, director of public programs at the museum, said: “We are thrilled that Patagotitan, the most complete giant dinosaur ever discovered, is making its European debut here at the Museum of Natural History, home of the dinosaur.”
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“Our fascination with dinosaurs provides the perfect opportunity to inspire and educate the next generation about the natural world, and empower them to take action for the planet.”
Visitors will be able to walk in the shadow of the most complete gigantic dinosaur ever discovered.
They will be able to manipulate specimens and discover how a creature of this colossal size was able to survive and thrive on Earth.
Photo: Museo Paleontologico Egidio Feruglio
People will get a real sense of the animal’s size by standing next to a titanosaur femur bone – as well as looking into the eyes of a sauropod skull.
Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur will open at the South Kensington Museum on March 31.
The cast of Patagotitan mayorum is on loan to the museum from the Museo Paleontologico Egidio Feruglio in Argentina, which excavated the giant skeleton in 2014.
