Skip to main content

Dinosaur Discovery

Close-up of a fossil showing the textured pattern of dinosaur skin with a person’s hand resting nearby for scale.
DINOSAUR SKIN This fossilized skin is from a duck-billed dino nicknamed Ed Jr. COURTESY TYLER KEILLOR—FOSSIL LAB

Paleontologists have discovered two rare, duck-billed dinosaur skeletons in Wyoming. The skeletons are about 66 million years old. In addition to bones, these remains feature dinosaur body parts. The researchers note “stunningly” preserved skin and spikes.

The scientists are from the University of Chicago, in Illinois. They announced their findings on October 23, in a paper published in the journal Science. The discovery gives other researchers new information about dinosaur bodies. For example, it confirms the existence of hoofed reptiles.

Paul Sereno is one of the scientists who worked on the project. “It’s the first time we’ve had a complete, fleshed-out view of a large dinosaur that we can really feel confident about,” he said in a statement.