Dinosaurs may be old, but they’re new to the zoo

Did you know that the Pachycephalosaurus likely used its ten-inch thick skull to butt heads for territory and mating rights, just like today’s bison? 

If not, then you probably haven’t been on the Dinosaur Safari, which has now pulled into the Bronx Zoo. 

Riding on a wagon through a two-acre plot, a guide leads visitors through a “time portal” to the Permian Period 300 million years ago and through to the Cretaceous Period 235 million years later, when the dinosaurs became extinct.  

The exhibit features more the 20 massive mechanical dinosaurs, ranging from the ostrich-like Citipati to the dominating 7-ton Tyrannosaurus rex.

Plants in each section of the 15-minute ride correspond to the time period and dinosaurs continuously growl, snarl and snap at the wagon as it passes. Some of them, much to the excitement of the children, go as far as to spit water at the explorers, in homage to Stephen Spielberg’s Jurassic Park.

“The dinosaurs are realistic and through the entire safari visitors are surrounded by thick jungle foliage, which really adds to the experience and helps you imagine that you have traveled back in time to see these amazing creatures,” Jim Breheny, Bronx Zoo director, said in a press release. 

After disembarking from the wagon, you can see how the mechanical dinosaurs work and children are encouraged to unearth fossils in a sandbox, with a zoo employee standing by to explain the significance of the fossils. 

Other dinosaur-themed activities throughout the zoo include Adaptations! A Dinosaur Musical on the stage at Asia Plaza, hands-on crafts and a Dinosaur Build Station at the Dancing Crane Pavilion, a giant 3D dinosaur puzzle, and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs at its 4-D theater.  The exhibit runs through Sunday, Sept. 8.  

For more information or tickets, go to www.bronxzoo.com/dino.