Academy of Natural Sciences

Chasmosaurus Belli

Cretaceous Period

Skeletal Cast

Dinosaur Hall

The Chasmosaurus Belli pronounced KAZ-mo_SOREus, BELL-eye, means Bell’s open lizard.  It is part of the ceratopsian group of dinosaurs, meaning it is a horned animal, and this one has three large horns on its head.  This skeleton cast in the Dinosaur exhibit in the Academy of Natural Sciences is a copy of the original skeleton at the Canadian Museum of Nature.  It is 17 feet long and had an estimated weight while alive of 2 tons.  It was an herbivore, eating only plants, and lived in North America, specifically the region of Alberta, Canada.  It lived in the late Cretaceous period, 76-73 million years ago. 

This skeleton is set up in Dinosaur Hall among other full skeletons of dinosaurs and fish, along with other partial skeletons.  It is important because it is part of the first dinosaur fossil exhibition in the United States. It is an example of a dinosaur that only eats plants, and is much smaller in comparison to carnivores on display, such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex.  It gives visitors the reference to compare different species based on their similarities and differences.  The Chasmosarus Belli is also known for having the largest brain, enabling it to have complex social interactions.  For example, if danger were sensed, adults would form a ring around the young offspring to protect them with their horns from predators. 

The room is slightly dated, with the labels mostly originating from the 80’s.  While the color scheme and text may be less contemporary than other exhibits in the museum, the information provided is scientific and yet presents facts that make it accessible to even the youngest visitors.  Braille is also on each panel in the exhibit, something I have not yet seen in other museums. 

Dinosaurs on display such as these are much more familiar to visitors today than they were in the generations before the discovery channel or National Geographic.  Children’s’ movies like “The Land Before Time”, or “Night At The Museum” also effect children’s perspectives.  They learn some information about dinosaurs that is based on fiction, and may come to the museum with skewed expectations for the large skeletons.  However, it is important to be aware of popular culture’s influence on children and their opinions, and for the museum to take that into consideration when revamping exhibits in the future, such as Dinosaur Hall to ensure visitor engagement.