Almost everything about Tyrannosaurus rex indicates the enormous power of one of the largest theropod dinosaurs that ever existed.

The first skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex was discovered in 1902 in Hell Creek, Montana, by the Museum's famous fossil hunter Barnum Brown. Six years later, Brown discovered a nearly complete T. rex skeleton at Big Dry Creek, Montana. The rock around it was blasted away with dynamite to reveal a “magnificent specimen” with a “perfect” skull. This skeleton, AMNH 5027, is on view in the Museum's Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs.

The Annotated Tyrannosaurus rex

The fossil was originally arranged so that the dinosaur stood upright. Museum scientists later determined that it was more accurate to show the Tyrannosaurus rex mounted in a stalking position, with its head low, tail extended, and one foot slightly raised.

Click on the + signs below to find out more about the Museum's Tyrannosaurus rex fossil.