Open now through September 1, 2008Step back into prehistoric time and enter the world of the dinosaur! Sixteen life-size animatronic dinosaurs move, roar and spit in the Saint Louis Zoo's one-of-a-kind walk-through exhibit in River's Edge. Colossal CreaturesWalk among the reptilian giants and gaze into the eyes of dino mega-stars, including Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops and Stegosaurus. Along the trail in this land before time, you'll discover connections between dinosaurs and live animals at the Zoo, how dinosaurs have been depicted in pop culture and theories on their extinction. Dig This!Calling all young paleontologists! Unearth some Jurassic treasures in a hands-on fossil dig. Team up with a Zoo guide to search for teeth, bones, shells and more using brushes and sifters. Sensory tables for the youngest adventurer include sorting and matching activities. Climb atop a duck-billed dino Parasaurolophus for a unique photo opportunity. 3-D Motion Simulator MovieExperience "Dino Island 2: Escape from Dino Island," a 3-D motion simulator. You'll be catapulted right into the action from the very beginning. There is a crisis on Dino Island and the Earth Science Team has to capture "Tony," the only remaining male T-rex in the world before the volcano erupts and takes out all remaining life. It's a race against time as lava begins to flow, cliffs break away and Tony perilously falls into a deep and fast whirlpool. Will you be able to save Tony (and yourselves) from extinction? Tickets are $4 per person. Why Did Dinosaurs Disappear?When an animal species becomes extinct, that means every last living member of the group has died off and is gone forever. On Earth, all dinosaurs are history. Literally. The extinction of dinosaurs is a great mystery. Although some disappeared much earlier, the last dinosaurs died off about 65 million years ago, probably as a result of major global climate changes, either gradual or sudden . . . but what and how? Just Didn't See It ComingDinosaurs may have faded away slowly over millions of years due to widespread volcanic activity or "plate tectonics" (shifting of continents), which led to drastic climate changes and loss of food sources. All Over In A FlashOne popular theory is the "catastrophic" extinction: A giant asteroid or comet may have struck Earth, causing violent ash storms, earthquakes, fires, tidal waves and other lethal problems. Geologic evidence based on Iridium -- a metal found in space rocks - supports this idea. We Can Help Prevent ExtinctionLearning about extinct dinosaurs is much more than just interesting lessons in ancient history. Lessons learned about extinction are applied in the Zoo's conservation programs through its WildCare Institute. The Saint Louis Zoo partners with zoos and organizations around the world to help many endangered species avoid the fate of dinosaurs. Admission- $1.50 for members; $3 for non-members
- Children under two are free.
- Admission to the exhibit is free during the first hour the Zoo is open (9-10 a.m. through May 22; 8-9 a.m. May 23 - September 1, 2008)
- $4/person for motion simulator
- $5 Dino Pass includes admission and motion simulator
- Discounts for groups of 15 or more
HoursSpring hours: 9 a.m to 5 p.m. every day through May 22, 2008 North Star Summer Zoo Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m every day., May 23-September 1, 2008 (Memorial Weekend through Labor Day). The Zoo will close at 5 p.m. on June 20, July 23 and August 27. See Hours, Prices & Directions for more information. Sponsors- The Boeing Company
- UMB Bank
Dinoroarus In the NewsSee KSDK Show Me St. Louis and St. Louis Post-Dispatch online stories.
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