New Zealand welcomes Barbara and Peter, a Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) couple dubbed as the king and queen of dinosaurs, for a unique six-day exhibit that will conclude on December 10th. A third of the nation visited the Auckland Museum, captivated by the rare, pregnant T. rex.
Geologist Bill Simpson (R on lift) and Mykl Ruffino (L) clean Sue, a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex on display at the Field Museum on November 12, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.
Barbara and Peter in Auckland Museum
Barbara, a pregnant T. rex discovered in Montana, stands as a unique find, representing one of only three pregnant T. rex specimens globally. Her protruding stomach indicates she carried eggs when she died.
Remarkably, Barbara had survived a severe metatarsal injury, considered a potentially devastating setback for a predator reliant on speed and agility. The injury, resembling a footballer's metatarsal break, showed signs of healing, suggesting Barbara's resilience and potential assistance from her pack.
Despite the excruciating pain and severe limp caused by the injury, Barbara's ability to heal and mate was evident from the medullary bone, indicating she was in an egg-laying phase. The survival raises questions about potential cooperation among T. rex pack members, challenging the stereotype of cold-blooded killers.
Displayed alongside Peter at the Auckland Museum, Barbara marks the first presentation of a male and female T. rex pair. With Barbara being the eighth most complete T. rex specimen globally, experts note healed wounds on her hind legs, possibly from a confrontation with another T. rex.
Peter, Barbara's male counterpart, is one of only four black T. rexes discovered, distinct from the typical brown coloration. At just under 36 feet, Peter's obsidian black bones and scars indicate past battles, including a fatal encounter with a stronger rival. The exhibition featuring this unique T. rex couple concludes on December 10th.
Dino Exhibit Sets Records With 1.6M Visitors
The ongoing dinosaur exhibition at Auckland Museum, featuring the historic specimens Barbara and Peter, has achieved unprecedented success, becoming the most triumphant dinosaur display ever.
The museum has already welcomed 1.6 million visitors, nearly the entire population of Auckland, with a few days remaining before the exhibition concludes. David Reeves, CEO of Auckland Museum, expresses joy over the once-in-a-lifetime educational experience provided by Barbara and Peter, especially for school children encountering these magnificent specimens.
In addition to the public display, Auckland Museum has shared the preliminary research on Peter and Barbara, conducted by Dr. David Burnham from the University of Kansas and Dr. John Nudds from the University of Manchester. The researchers aim to encourage learning about theropods, a subject fascinating to Dr. Nudds throughout his professional life.
Dr. Burnham emphasizes the importance of documenting and publicly reporting each specimen, contributing to the comprehensive knowledge about Tyrannosaurus Rex, considering the rarity of such specimens in paleontology.
The exhibition not only captivates audiences with the awe-inspiring dinosaur couple but also serves as an educational platform, offering insights into the world of theropods and contributing to the broader understanding of these iconic creatures.
RELATED ARTICLE: Meet Barbara: The Extremely Rare Pregnant Tyrannosaurus Rex Dinosaur Skeleton
Check out more news and information on Paleontology in Science Times.
