Naturalis shows off unique find in a new triceratops exhibition

September 17th, 2024
Artist impression van de tentoonstelling: gezinnen lopen rondom de vijf skeletten

On October 18, Naturalis will open Triceratops: the herd. It will be a family friendly and interactive exhibition. The heart of the gallery is formed by the unique collection of five triceratops skeletons. 

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After eleven years
they're finally ready

In 2013, a team of Naturalis Biodiversity found something remarkable in Wyoming (USA). No less than five specimens of Triceratops horridus, the iconic dinosaur with the horns and the big neck shield. The museum in Leiden, The Netherlands, now owns the biggest collection of triceratops individuals on the planet, and the only one proven to have lived and died together. Eleven years of of digging, bone prepping, scientific research and gallery design are all coming together. On Friday October 18, Naturalis will open the exhibit Triceratops: the herd.

Jimmy de Rooij graaft een triceratops op
Yasmin bekijkt een triceratops-been in het Dinolab

The theme:
triceratops

Naturalis used the five skeletons as the basis for a family friendly exhibition that uses many different techniques to bring the dinos back to life. An animatronic baby triceratops is sleeping next to its mother, and visitors can view the herd through special tricera-scopes and watch the animals stomp through the museum. Interactives allow you to learn about triceratops' diet - both the food and the farts - and how the power of teamwork by battling a Tyrannosaurus rex together. The rest of the museum is also triceratops-themed in its programs for schools, family activities, the museum shop and even the menu in the museum restaurant. 

Render van de 5 skeletten

World tour

Triceratops: the herd can be seen in Naturalis until August 31, 2025.  After that, the exhibition will go on a tour around the world. When that ends, the five dinosaur skeletons will get a permanent spot in our museum. 

More info
Not for publication

This is a press release from Naturalis Biodiversity Center. More information, images and video can be found in this press folder. For general questions, you can contact the Naturalis communications department at +31 (0)71 - 7519 648 or communicatie@naturalis.nl. 

Opening hours
Because we're expecting a lot of extra visitors, we're extending our opening hours. From the Fall until the Christmas holidays, we'll open on Saturdays until 21:30. During these holidays, the museum will be open 30 minutes longer than usual: until 17:30.

 

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