Dino Hero

Prepare to step back in time this summer as the Topeka Zoo brings the prehistoric world to life with Dinosaurs Alive, presented by KBS! Launching in May 2025, this highly anticipated exhibition will feature up to 15 full-sized, scientifically accurate robotic dinosaurs from the globally renowned Dino Don, Inc.

These awe-inspiring creatures will transport you to the Mesozoic Era, showcasing the evolution and extinction of some of history’s most fascinating species. With lifelike movements, including eye, mouth, and tail motions, as well as “breathing” effects, the dinosaurs in Dinosaurs Alive will captivate audiences of all ages.

All part of your regular admission to the zoo!

Tickets

From the towering Tyrannosaurus rex to the gentle Triceratops, and the colossal Brachiosaurus, each animatronic dinosaur is meticulously designed under the guidance of paleontologists to ensure scientific accuracy. Watch as these dinosaurs come to life with realistic movements, including eye, mouth, and even “breathing” motions, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

Bronx Zoo (9)

Brachiosaurus

(BRACK-ee-oh-SORE-us)

Plant-eater

65 feet long, 35 feet high

Western North America, East Africa

Late Jurassic, 145 million years ago

The Brachiosaurus was the tallest creature to ever roam the Earth. It grazed on the leaves high in the tree canopy, and its fossils have been discovered in both East Africa and Western North America. While there were no buildings 145 million years ago, if there had been, a Brachiosaurus would have easily peered into a fourth-floor window!

Brachiosaurus Facts
deinonychus

Deinonychus

(DIE-non-e-cuss)

Meat-eater

10 feet long

Early Cretaceous, 115 million years ago

Western North America

Deinonychus was a "raptor" the size of a human, known for its sharp teeth and deadly claws on both its hands and feet. While Velociraptors are often portrayed as menacing in movies like Jurassic Park, it was actually Deinonychus that should have played the villain. In reality, Velociraptors were much smaller—about the size of a modern-day poodle.

Deinonychus Facts
kosmoceratops

Kosmoceratops

KOZ-mow-SERR-a-tops

Plant-eater

15 feet long

Late Cretaceous, 75 million years ago

Western North America

Kosmoceratops was about half the size of Triceratops, the largest of the horned dinosaurs. However, it had the most elaborate headgear of any dinosaur, sporting up to 15 horns on its skull. While young Kosmoceratops likely had few horns, these impressive features would have developed as it matured, likely used to impress other adults.

Kosmoceratops Facts
Maiasaura nest

Maiasaura

(MY-ah-SORE-ah)

Plant-eater

25 feet long

Late Cretaceous, 75 million years ago

North American West

Maiasaura, meaning "good mother reptile," earned its name from the discovery of nests containing eggs, embryos, and young dinosaurs. This duck-billed dinosaur was dedicated to caring for its offspring. Remarkably, its hatchlings grew rapidly—reaching up to seven feet in length within just one year!

Maiasaura Facts
pachycephalosaurus

Pachycephalosaurus

(PACK-ee-SEFF-a-low-sore-us)

Plant-eater

15 feet long

Late Cretaceous, 65 million years ago

Western North America

Pachycephalosaurus was the largest of the dome-headed dinosaurs, likely using its thick skull to headbutt rivals, much like modern rams use their horns. Its name, meaning "thick-headed reptile," is fitting for an animal with a forehead as solid and thick as a bowling ball!

Pachycephalosaurus Facts
parasaurolophus

Parasaurolophus

(PAIR-ah-sore-oll-OH-fuss)

Plant-eater

30 feet long

Late Cretaceous, 65 million years ago

Western North America

Parasaurolophus had the most elaborate crest of any duck-billed dinosaur, capable of producing low notes through its trumpet-like structure, much like an elephant's trumpet today. For a time, some scientists mistakenly believed it lived in the water and used its crest as a snorkel. Turns out, they couldn't have been more wrong!

Parasaurolophus Facts
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Pterodactylus

(TER-oh-DACK-till-us)

Meat-eater

1 meter to 4 meters wide

Late Jurassic, 145 million years ago to Late Cretaceous 65 million years ago

Western Europe and North America

Pterodactyls were first identified in Bavaria and belong to a diverse and long-lived group of flying reptiles that are now extinct. Their name, "winged finger," comes from the fact that their leathery wings extended from an elongated fourth finger. Pterodactyls had fleshy crests, short tails, and a diet that included fish, which they caught by diving into the oceans with their narrow jaws lined with up to 90 sharp, small teeth.

When Italian scientists first discovered pterodactyl fossils in 1784, they mistakenly believed these creatures were marine animals that used their wings to paddle through the water.

Pterodactylus Facts
quetzalcoatlus

Quetzalcoatlus

(ket-zel-KWAT-a-lus)

Meat-eater

35 feet wide

Late Cretaceous, 65 million years ago

Western North America, Montana

Quetzalcoatlus was the largest flying animal to ever exist, with a wingspan as wide as a modern fighter jet. Like many other pterosaurs, it was built for flight, with a lightweight body, long jaw, and sharp, small teeth ideal for catching fish. The name "Quetzalcoatlus" also refers to a feathered flying god worshipped by the Aztec civilization in Mexico.

Quetzalcoatlus Facts
Triceratops

Triceratops

(TRI-serr-oh-tops)

Plant-eater

30 feet long

Late Jurassic, 145 million years ago

Western North America, Montana

Triceratops gets its name from the three long horns on its head. While these horns might look intimidating, they were actually quite thin and not particularly effective as a defense against a predator like T. rex. So, what were the horns for? It's possible that Triceratops used them in head-to-head battles with other members of their species, perhaps in contests for mates, where they scraped their horns against each other in displays of strength.

Triceratops Facts
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Tyrannosaurus Rex

(TIE-ran-oh-SORE-us rex)

Meat-eater

40 feet long

Late Cretaceous, 65 million years ago

Western North America, Montana 

T. rex was the smartest and most powerful of all the giant meat-eating dinosaurs, with the most powerful bite of any animal in history. It had 50 sharp teeth, each the size of a banana, and could crush up to 500 pounds of dinosaur meat in a single bite.

Tyrannosaurus Rex Facts
Utahraptor

Utahraptor

(YOU-tah-RAP-tore)

Meat-eater

20 feet long

Early Cretaceous, 125 million years ago

North American West

Utahraptor was one of the largest and earliest raptor dinosaurs. Like all "raptors," it had a single large claw on each hand and foot. Many dinosaurs are named after the places where their fossils are discovered—can you guess which state Utahraptor's bones were found in? That's right, Utah!

Utahraptor Facts

This immersive exhibition isn’t just about marveling at the size and realism of the dinosaurs—it’s also a journey of discovery. Dinosaurs Alive groups these magnificent creatures by era and geographic origin, providing a unique opportunity to explore their habitats and behaviors. From the ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex and the gentle yet formidable Triceratops to the towering Brachiosaurus, each dinosaur offers an exciting glimpse into a world millions of years old. The exhibition also features dynamic scenes, such as nesting, hunting, and scavenging, that bring their stories to life in unforgettable ways.

HANDS ON LEARNING!

For hands-on learners and families, Dinosaurs Alive offers engaging activities like the Fossil Dig Pit, where children can uncover fossil castings just like real paleontologists. Don’t forget to capture the moment with a photo at the iconic T. rex Photo Op, a larger-than-life centerpiece perfect for unforgettable selfies. With interactive displays and an Educator’s Guide available, visitors can delve even deeper into the science of paleontology and the incredible history of these prehistoric creatures.

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Whether you’re a dinosaur enthusiast, a budding scientist, or simply looking for an adventure, Dinosaurs Alive at the Topeka Zoo is the must-see experience of the summer. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to explore, learn, and be amazed by the giants of the past.

Plan your visit now and discover the magic of dinosaurs at TopekaZoo.org.

Tickets
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