When we were last in Thermopolis we focused on our walk and the reward of the steam baths. This time we took a short break from our drive to Casper to visit the Dinosaur Center. This is an area rich in dinosaur digs and the museum is well regarded.
The building looks more like a warehouse but what is inside is an excellent lesson on paleontology.
Exhibits are well labeled with scientific facts intended to educate visitors. Evidence on the origin of life and evolution are well documented. Our only complaint was that we needed more time to grasp it all.
The path through the museum leads from the earliest life forms through to the period of the dinosaurs. Time lines show the place of the many fossils throughout Earth’s history.
These are echinoderm who lived 535 million years ago.
This teleost, aka the uber fish, is from the Mesozoic Era. He is a member of the most successful group of vertebrates that include his descendants like goldfish and salmon among others.
This is a mother (or father) tending to a nest of thirty plus young Psittacosaurus.
This specimen was discovered by the eight-year-old son of the paleontologist leading the dig. The rule is “finders-namers,” so the dinosaur is named Zuniceratops Christopheri.
T Rex, as always, dominates the room. The stegosaurus is the Wyoming State Dinosaur. Does your state have a state dinosaur?
Wind Canyon Scenic Drive is aptly named. We made several stops along the road to take photos.
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