Bizarre New Dinosaur Discovered with Two-Fingered Hands Like Tyrannosaurus

April 21, 2025

An international research team, including North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences paleontologist Chinzorig Tsogtbaatar, has discovered a new species of therizinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Bayanshiree Formation (~96-90 million years old) in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. The dinosaur was named Duonychus tsogtbaatari, in honor of Chinzorig’s father, influential Mongolian paleontologist Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar. Unlike other… Read More >


On Exhibit: Ocean Sunfish

April 7, 2025

On Monday morning, May 31, 1926, H.H. Brimley, director of what was then known as the North Carolina State Museum, answered his phone. On the other end of the line a faint but very excited voice announced: “Humphrey talking! From Swansboro! Big fish — 1,500 pounds — 7½ feet long — nothing like it ever… Read More >


Why scientists are worried about weasels

March 31, 2025

When monitoring the health of mammal populations, scientists often use camera traps to observe the animals in their habitats. But weasels are so sneaky they’re rarely caught on camera – leaving scientists with questions about this population of predators. “We’re a little worried about the weasels,” says Roland Kays, a research professor at North Carolina… Read More >


Acrocanthosaurus

Museum ranked #3 nationally by USA Today

March 11, 2025

In February, USA Today ranked our Museum 3rd among the 10 best museums in the US that you can visit for free. “Always offering free general admission, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences allows visitors to explore the wonders of nature and science across two buildings of labs and exhibits. Guests of all ages will… Read More >


four pieces of a broken dinosaur egg

Eggshells Point to Diverse Dino Ecosystem in North America

March 4, 2025

Authored by Tracey Peake, North Carolina State News. Utah was a hotbed of dinosaur diversity during the Late Cretaceous period, and paleontologists have the fossilized eggshells to prove it. Researchers led by former NC State Ph.D. student Josh Hedge uncovered six new types of eggshells from the Mussentuchit Member of Utah’s Cedar Mountain Formation. Three of… Read More >