Tyrannosaurus Rex

Tyrannosaurus rex

Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous (approximately 67 million years ago)

Hell Creek Formation, Harding County, South Dakota, USA

An outstanding exhibition-ready mounted skeleton, with a body length of approximately 38 feet, a skull length of 54 inches, a femur length of 50.39 inches (larger than that of Stan), and rising to 12 ½ feet tall, cementing “Gus” as one of the largest T. rex ever found. Gus is importantly a single specimen with an incredible 183 fossil bone elements, plus 30 of the 32 rarely found and rarely mounted gastralia (belly ribs, which are technically osteoderms and thus not traditionally reckoned within the formal bone count), it is approximately 63% complete by bone count, with these bones representing 75-80% of the bone mass of the animal, placing it firmly among the most complete T rex ever found. 

Gus has an exceptionally preserved skull, with approximately 82% of the bones represented, including all six dentitions. The specimen also boasts a rare set of humeri; a very rare furcula (wishbone); two very well-represented feet (only one other specimen is known to have two well represented feet); a completely represented pelvis; a well-represented axial skeleton including cervical, dorsal, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, and much more. Judging from the overall size and degree of bone development it can be determined that Gus’ skeleton belonged to a very large, robust, adult individual.

The skeleton displays a number of pathologies, including signs of tyrannosaurid bite marks to the skull bones and right dentary, as well as to several post-cranial elements, all sustained by either combat or post-mortem scavenging, in addition to injuries which occurred during the life of the individual, with fractured and healed bones discernable in several ribs and gastralia.

Professionally prepared, and accurately articulated anatomically, Gus’ skeleton is mounted in a predatory pose on a custom steel armature. The specimen was meticulously prepared to the highest standards, showcasing the fossils’ natural beauty and preserving important contextual information. 

The skeleton is offered with full rights, and the offering includes full documentation certifying condition, authenticity, and legality of ownership.

Photography: Matthew Sherman

FURTHER DETAILS TO COME ON THIS EXCEPTIONAL SPECIMEN