Dinosaurs! at the Minnesota Zoo

The 's Dinosaurs! – opening to the public May 26 – will include 15 larger-than-life animatronic dinosaurs on the Northern Trail including Tyrannosaurus Rex, Giganotosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Quetzalcoatlus, Pachycephalosaurus and more.

Two kid-friendly dino photo opportunities will also be part of the exhibit. Representing the Mesozoic era (approximately 230-65 million years ago), “Dinosaurs!” will transport guests back in time with larger-than-life dinosaurs, sound effects, and other unique horticultural components for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Says Minnesota Zoo Director/CEO Lee Ehmke: “The Zoo celebrates the diversity of life, and no time period better illustrates our earth’s fantastic array of life than the Jurassic Period, when dinosaurs dominated the planet. We expect the accurate, active and awesome replicas of the great extinct reptiles—encountered in the beautiful setting of the Zoo’s 485 acres of forest, lakes and grassy hills—will be enormously popular.”

The dinosaurs are designed and built by Billings Productions, Inc. (billingsproductions.com) based in McKinney, Texas by a team of designers, engineers, sculptors and artists. Each dinosaur is made of steel and a “skin” material composed of a special urethane compound good for protecting them in inclement weather – a must in Minnesota! Each dinosaur is fitted with its own “electronic brain” to activate and control movement and sound.

This limited engagement will run through September 3 and is a separate fee attraction of $4.00 ($3.50 for Zoo members). General Zoo admission is also required.