JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As temperatures rise across the First Coast, there's a new way to beat the heat: Ice Dinosaurs. This exhibit, by Imagine Exhibitions, is making its world debut at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH), promising to transport visitors to the lost world of the Alaskan Arctic.
Anthony Mortimer, the Vice President of Education and Exhibits at MOSH, shared insights into this groundbreaking showcase. "The grand opening is on Saturday for this new exhibit from Imagine Exhibition called Ice Dinosaurs: The Lost World of the Alaskan Arctic," he says. If you attend on opening day, March 9th, you'll be among the first to lay eyes on these ice dinos.
But don't let the name fool you. Mortimer clarifies, "So that can be a little deceiving when it's titled ice dinosaurs; it's really focusing on the Prince Creek Formation in northeast Alaska, which in prehistoric terms is relatively young." This region, relatively new to archaeologists, offers fresh perspectives on ancient creatures, including dinosaurs adorned with fur and feathers.
The exhibit boasts an impressive array of features:
- 20 animatronic dinosaurs
- 17 static creatures
- 4 museum-grade casts
- 12 additional fossils
- Dinosaurs, fish, and mammals, many of which are new to science
Mortimer elaborated on why many of the animatronics in the exhibit have feathers and fur. "On the climate, if it was a lizard-like cold-blooded animal, it would have been impossible for it to survive those winters. Two, I mentioned the quill knobs on the velociraptor skeleton earlier. It's very similar for supporting hair follicles."
Ice Dinosaurs draws upon the research of paleontologist Dr. Gregory Erickson from Florida State University. Dr. Erickson himself will be present on opening day, March 9th, to field questions and deepen visitors' understanding.
Looking ahead, Mortimer shares MOSH's vision: "We want the Northeast Florida communities to get used to the reputation that MOSH is building a world-class museum for Jacksonville. We get the best exhibits, and we get them first."
The exhibit will run from March 9-Sept. 6.