The best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimen 鈥� or at least a replica 鈥� is on display at the St. Louis Science Center until September.
鈥溾�� features two life-sized skeletal casts and six exhibition areas about life during the , more than 60 million years ago. The skeleton is on full display, standing more than 13 feet tall and 40 feet long.
鈥淭he coolest thing is the size,鈥� said Doug Bolnick, a spokesperson for the Science Center. 鈥淵ou've seen a skeleton, you see pictures, but to see how big it is within touching distance is amazing to me.鈥�
Sue is the most comprehensive T. rex fossil ever discovered, at nearly 90% complete.
Guests shouldn鈥檛 confuse Sue for the Science Center鈥檚 animatronic dinosaurs, since this one is only visiting.
The traveling exhibit also features the latest scientific discoveries about the species and a full sensory experience 鈥� including the breath of a T. rex. Scientists recreated the smell using bacteria simulation, said Kaylia Eskew, the Science Center's special exhibitions manager.
鈥淚t's a great way to live like Sue,鈥� Eskew said. 鈥淵ou're going to be smelling bacteria, flesh, and a lot of it rotting.鈥�
There鈥檚 also flower-scented displays aimed at immersing visitors into Sue鈥檚 environment. Before then a guided light show introduces guests to each part of Sue鈥檚 skeletal system. A life-sized triceratops sits by a sculpture of Sue鈥檚 body, with a display to touch a part of its skin.
鈥淓veryone we talked to, at some point they wanted to be a paleontologist. They want to go out there and they want to find those dinosaur bones,鈥� Eskew said. 鈥淗ere you get to do it. The kiddos and the 90-year-old kiddos, they can come in here and go 鈥榃ow!鈥欌��
Scientists found Sue in Hell Creek, South Dakota, in 1990. Rings on Sue鈥檚 bones indicate it lived to 28 years old, a full life for a Tyrannosaurus rex. Scientists can鈥檛 agree whether it鈥檚 a male or female dinosaur, which contributed to Sue鈥檚 .
Entry to the museum is free, but special tickets are required for . Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children, seniors and military personnel and $6 for Science Center members.
