New dinosaurs visiting Museum of Natural History in Halifax

The Museum of Natural History unveils the much-anticipated sequel: Dinosaur Exploration 2.

Dinosaurs are back at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax.

Dinosaur Exploration 2 is a sequel to the 2024 exhibit that featured carnivores and long-necked dinosaurs.

“This time we have plated dinosaurs, like stegosaurus and horned dinosaurs, like triceratops,” says Jeff Gray, the manager of the museum.

Gray said it was exciting to follow up with new dinosaurs and continue the story from the first show.

Travelling shows that feature dinosaurs rely on casts because real fossils are too difficult to transport, said Gray. Research Casting creates those casts from real fossils in museums all around the world and makes them available to museums that don’t have a fossil record, he said.

Besides the stegosaurus and other “big five” classic dinosaurs, Gray said the show features an Allosaurus fight scene that will be the highlight of the show for a lot of people. He said there is also a dig box where young people can play and learn about Nova Scotia’s dinosaur history.

Tim Fedak, curator of geology at the Nova Scotia Museum, said the province was closer to the equator as part of the supercontinent Pangea when dinosaurs walked the earth.

“It was much warmer and drier here,” Fedak said. He said he’s also interested in drawing and encourages people to bring their sketchbooks to draw some of the dinosaurs on display.

“They’re so prevalent in pop culture, in movies and in documentaries but to be able to come and stand in front of one and not just see it on your phone or on a computer or on TV, I think makes it more real for people,” Gray said. “There’s always a level of excitement about being able to see them in person.”

Dinosaur Exploration 2 will be at the Museum of Natural History from Feb. 7 to Sept. 7.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Carl Pomeroy

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