No, not the horse movie! Slow down Tina Belcher! Anyone who knows me, even a little bit, knows that I am obsessed with dinosaurs. That obsession gets turned up to “11” when I think about Tyrannosaurus rex! I love their big, bone crushing teeth and jaws. The senses that made it the most fearsome land carnivore to ever roam our planet. I love the little, tiny arms! Perfect for giving hugs? One of the most striking and iconic T.rex ever found is Black Beauty.
Black Beauty in her iconic death pose.
Discovered in 1980 along the Red Deer River near Alberta, Black Beauty is not just another T. rex. This particular fossil is famous for its unique black sheen, which gives it its name. The dark coloration comes from minerals like manganese that infiltrated the bones during fossilization, creating a striking contrast to the typical earthy tones of most dinosaur fossils.
The Black Beauty specimen isn’t the largest T. rex ever discovered, but it is among the most scientifically valuable. It played a pivotal role in understanding the anatomy, lifestyle, and even the growth stages of these incredible (and huggable!) predators. Visitors are often captivated by the intricacy of the skeleton, which highlights the creature's ferocity and elegance.
The fossil is beautifully displayed in a dedicated exhibit at the Royal Tyrrell Museum (https://tyrrellmuseum.com ) , allowing visitors to get up close and personal with this magnificent relic of the Late Cretaceous period. Just not close enough to hug. I know! Not fair!