NATIONAL DUELING DINOSAURS DAY

NATIONAL DUELING DINOSAURS DAY

The last Saturday in April is National Dueling Dinosaurs Day on the National Day Calendar. Prepare to take a journey of discovery into the exciting world of the Tyrannosaur and Triceratops dinosaurs and the best dinosaur discovery to date.

#NationalDuelingDinosaursDay

Dinosaurs have been the subject of intrigue for centuries. They represent the mystery of exploration for both children and adults of a time when these fascinating creatures roamed the earth. National Dueling Dinosaurs Day celebrates the exciting Tyrannosaurs and Triceratops dinosaurs by giving us a rare glimpse of never before found discoveries of the two dinosaurs exceptionally preserved in close proximity.

By definition, a Tyrannosaur is any very large carnivorous dinosaur of the Tyrannosaurus genus. Research shows they have very small arms, large heads, and very sharp and robust teeth. They are known to have long tails and walk upright on two legs, but bent forward to balance. The most well-known Tyrannosaur species, T. rex, had the largest bite force of any land dwelling animal ever. They could crush both bones and muscles with their powerful jaws.

There is one significant and controversial question further study of the predator's  skeleton may answer: Is the predator a younger T. rex or an adult specimen of the Nanotyrannus genus? It's possible a smaller, more maneuverable and faster version of T. rex could have hunted the same ecosystem. A similar scenario could be surmised from the fossil record of the mighty Megalodon and the Great White shark. They were two apex predators competing for lasting dominance in a changing world.

The Triceratops was a plant-eating dinosaur easily identified by the three horns found on its face, most likely used for protection against bigger predators, as well as for courtship, dominance display and species identification. It was one of the largest horned dinosaurs that ever lived. Interestingly, this dinosaur had hundreds of teeth and a bird-like beak to help them snip off vegetation that was on the ground or a bit higher.

Dueling Dinosaurs Discovery

In 2006, Clayton Phipps, a Montana rancher, and his associates discovered two  amazing dinosaur fossils in the late Cretaceous sediments of the Hell Creek formation. The dinosaurs appeared to be in the final stage of a battle between a Tyrannosaur and a Triceratops that took place around 67 million years ago. This fantastic fossil find reveals the most complete tyrannosaur skeleton ever found in close proximity to an exceptionally preserved triceratops. It was carefully excavated and prepared for transport. It remained in storage for a number years before being acquired by the NCMNS. The discovery has caused extreme excitement in the world of science and the duo was quickly dubbed the Dueling Dinosaurs.

"An iconic predator versus prey dinosaur drama, perfectly preserved in the fossil record of time." Dr. Bruce Worf

The likelihood of finding a nearly perfectly preserved dinosaur is rare. Before this, it was extremely rare to find two dinosaurs fossilized together, especially with their skin and bones intact. This extraordinary piece of scientific discovery has presented the opportunity to study two iconic dinosaur species on a level never performed before. In fact, the epic discovery has created a movement for anyone to experience studying the dinosaurs in a state-of-the-art paleontology laboratory. Whether this is the result of a death or dining encounter, the ability to experience ongoing real time research will provide answers to not only paleontologists, but curious dinosaur lovers, too.

Immersive Exhibit Experience

In 2024, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences opened the 'Dueling Dinosaurs' exhibition and laboratory devoted to studying the complete fossils of a Tyrannosaur and Triceratops. The exhibition not only advances our understanding of these species, but it also allows us to study their behavior in ways we now can only begin to guess at.

The public is allowed to unravel the mystery behind their deaths in a state-of-the art interactive exhibit, while witnessing the remarkable fossils up close as they are studied by researchers in a scientific setting. Imagine being allowed to enter the lab and get behind the scenes to view the dinosaur fossils up close and have conversations with the team working on them. Never before has there been such an engaging experience of interacting with scientific researchers in real-time as they learn about the mystery of the Dueling Dinosaurs.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL DUELING DINOSAURS DAY

  1. Learn about the exciting Dueling Dinosaurs Exhibition by visiting the live feed of the exhibit online.

  2. Engage your students and kids in activities about the Dueling Dinosaurs Exhibit and about other dinosaurs.

  3. Plan a family trip to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and schedule your visit to the Dueling Dinosaurs Exhibit.

  4. Learn facts about the Tyrannosaur and Triceratops. Use your research to try to form your own opinion on why these two dinosaurs were found together.

  5. Share your stories, photos, videos and support for National Dueling Dinosaurs and all dinosaur discoveries on social media using the hashtag #NationalDuelingDinosaursDay.

HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL DUELING DINOSAURS DAY

National Dueling Dinosaurs Day was submitted by Dr. Bruce Worf and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. They began working with National Day Calendar in 2024 to make National Dueling Dinosaurs Day a reality. In 2025, Dr. Worf secured the new National Day on behalf of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The National Day Calendar Registrar approved this exciting day to be celebrated each year during the Last Saturday in April.

About the Founders

Dr. Lindsay Zanno is a nationally and internationally renowned and respected paleontologist and theropod expert at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. After recognizing the real potential of this unique dinosaur discovery, Dr. Zanno decided to bring the fossil science to the public in an interactive and participatory manner, which would be in perfect alignment with the museum’s mission to illuminate the natural world and inspire its conservation. Dr. Zanno knew the enormous potential to bring the Dueling Dinosaurs to fall in line with the museum’s vision: a knowledgeable and empowered society, making decisions informed by science.

This enormous potential was also appreciated by multiple sponsors, making the SECU DinoLab a reality. Other fossils will be able to be studied in this exceptional science setting. Related paleontology projects include 'Cretaceous Creatures' headed by scientist and author Dr. Elizabeth Jones which brings fossil science to classrooms across the country. Eric Lund, SECU DinoLab Manager and his diverse team of scientists, improve the quality and access of the ongoing real-time science shared with the public.

Dr. Bruce Worf is a physician and longtime sponsor of the Dueling Dinosaurs Exhibit. He even hybridized a unique and unusual form daylily, 'Dueling Dinosaurs-NCMNS' officially registered with the American Daylily Society. The daylily color is described as scarlet red over a yellow throat. From cross to bloom, it took five years. This 'living dinosaur' daylily highlights this fantastic fossil find, as well as honoring the NCMNS and its ongoing exceptional education and research provided to the public. Dr. Worf is also the founder of National Megalodon Day celebrated on June 15 and National Eastern Box Turtle Week celebrated during the First Full Week in May.

Designating a National Day celebrates this unique dinosaur discovery and the NCMNS SECU DinoLabs ongoing mission to illuminate the natural world and inspire its conservation. In addition, the National Day is supported by NCMNS Director, Dr. Denise Young, Development Director Jill Diaz, the NCMNS Board of Directors and its vision for the future.