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7 Shocking Secrets And Updates About SUE The T. Rex At The Field Museum (2025 Edition)

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The world's most famous dinosaur, SUE the Tyrannosaurus rex, is not where you think she is. If your last visit to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago was before 2018, you might be surprised to learn that this colossal predator has moved from the main Stanley Field Hall to a stunning, scientifically optimized new home. This move, along with a series of major scientific updates and the celebration of a major milestone in 2025, has completely redefined the experience of meeting the largest, most complete, and best-preserved T. rex fossil ever discovered. The museum has worked tirelessly to ensure that SUE's display reflects the absolute cutting-edge of paleontological knowledge.

As of late 2025, SUE remains one of the most compelling and scientifically significant exhibits on the planet. The year 2025 marks the "Summer of SUE," a celebration of the 25th anniversary of SUE's debut at the Field Museum, bringing new programs and a fresh spotlight on the fossil's incredible journey. The new exhibit space not only provides a more intimate and scientifically accurate presentation but also incorporates the latest research, including the correct placement of the mysterious belly ribs, or gastralia, which were a puzzle for scientists for years. This is everything you need to know about SUE's current status, history, and the secrets revealed in the new exhibit.

SUE the T. Rex: A Complete Biography and Profile

SUE, officially designated FMNH PR 2081, is more than just a fossil; she is a scientific marvel that has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the Tyrannosaurus rex. Her discovery and subsequent legal battle are as famous as the skeleton itself. Here is a detailed profile of the world's most celebrated predator.

  • Nickname: SUE (stylized in all capitals by the Field Museum).
  • Official Designation: FMNH PR 2081 (Field Museum of Natural History Paleontology Register 2081).
  • Species: Tyrannosaurus rex.
  • Geological Period: Late Cretaceous Period, Maastrichtian age (approximately 67 million years ago).
  • Discovery Date: August 12, 1990.
  • Discovery Location: Near the Cheyenne River on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, South Dakota.
  • Discoverer: Susan "Sue" Hendrickson, a fossil hunter with the Black Hills Institute (BHI).
  • Completeness: Approximately 90% complete by bone volume, making it the most complete T. rex skeleton ever found.
  • Size: Over 40 feet (12.3 meters) long and 13 feet (4 meters) tall at the hips.
  • Estimated Age at Death: 28 years old, the oldest T. rex known for a time.
  • Acquisition: Purchased at a public auction in 1997 by the Field Museum for $8.36 million, with funding from corporate partners and private donors.
  • Original Debut: May 17, 2000, in Stanley Field Hall.
  • Current Home: Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet, Field Museum, Chicago (since 2018).

The New Home: Why SUE Left Stanley Field Hall

For nearly two decades, SUE greeted visitors in the main Stanley Field Hall, an iconic and dramatic placement. However, in 2018, SUE was moved to a permanent, dedicated gallery within the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet on the museum’s upper level. This was not a demotion; it was a scientifically motivated upgrade designed to give SUE a more accurate and immersive environment.

1. Scientific Context and Immersion

The original location, while magnificent, was a high-traffic area that lacked the necessary scientific context. SUE's new gallery is a dedicated, immersive space that provides a "snapshot of life 67 million years ago". Visitors are now surrounded by other fossils and exhibits from the Late Cretaceous period, allowing them to understand SUE's role in the ancient ecosystem. This placement turns the display from a simple spectacle into a profound educational experience.

2. The Addition of the Gastralia (Belly Ribs)

One of the most significant reasons for the move was to unveil SUE's new, scientifically corrected skeletal structure. The most notable change is the addition of the gastralia, or belly ribs.

  • What are Gastralia? These are a set of bones that sit below the ribs, along the belly, not unlike the abdominal ribs of modern alligators.
  • The Scientific Insight: Gastralia are rarely preserved in tyrannosaurs, and scientists were unsure how to position them in SUE's original 2000 mount. New research, however, confirmed their correct placement.
  • Function: Paleontologists now believe these bones played a crucial role in the T. rex's respiratory system, helping to push air in and out of the massive lungs, essentially assisting the dinosaur in breathing. SUE is one of the only T. rex specimens found with these bones intact, making the new pose a unique scientific showcase.

3. A More Accurate Hunting Pose

In the new exhibit, SUE is mounted in a more horizontal, dynamic, and scientifically accurate pose, reflecting the latest understanding of theropod biomechanics. The previous mount was more upright, a common depiction in older paleontology that is now considered less accurate. The new, low-slung stance showcases the true power and balance of the apex predator, allowing for a better appreciation of its massive tail and powerful legs.

The Summer of SUE: 25 Years of the T. Rex Legacy in Chicago (2025)

The year 2025 holds special significance for SUE and the Field Museum, marking the 25th anniversary of the fossil's public debut in Chicago. This milestone is being celebrated as the "Summer of SUE," highlighting the enduring legacy of this incredible specimen and the scientific knowledge it continues to provide.

4. The T.REX: The Story of SUE 3D Experience

To coincide with the anniversary, the museum is featuring the "T.REX: The Story of SUE 3D" exhibit, which opened in March 2025. This immersive cinematic experience allows visitors to see SUE's story like never before, using cutting-edge 3D technology to bring the Cretaceous world to life. It’s an essential add-on experience for any fan of paleontology, diving deep into the discovery, the science, and the sheer scale of the T. rex.

5. Unlocking New Scientific Secrets

SUE’s bones continue to be an invaluable resource for scientists. The 90% completeness of the skeleton, which includes rare bones like the furcula (wishbone) and the tiny stapes bone in the ear, has allowed researchers to make discoveries about T. rex anatomy and pathology. For instance, a detailed examination of SUE's skull and other bones revealed multiple injuries and pathologies, including a healed fibula injury, a broken rib, and evidence of a massive infection in the jaw, giving scientists a glimpse into the harsh life of a 67-million-year-old predator.

6. Why The Skull Is Still Separate

One of the most persistent questions visitors have is why the actual, 2,500-pound skull is not mounted on the skeleton. The answer is twofold: preservation and practicality. The original skull is simply too heavy to mount safely on the skeleton without risking damage to the delicate neck vertebrae. Instead, a lightweight, scientifically accurate cast of the skull is used on the mounted skeleton. The real skull is displayed in a separate, nearby case, allowing visitors to get a close-up look at the intricate details, including the massive teeth and the pathologies that tell the story of SUE's life.

7. SUE's Continuing Cultural Impact

SUE's influence extends far beyond the Field Museum's walls. The high-profile legal battle over the fossil's ownership, involving the Black Hills Institute and the U.S. government, fundamentally changed the way large fossil discoveries are handled in the United States. Furthermore, SUE's massive size and record completeness have made the fossil the gold standard for all subsequent T. rex discoveries, including other famous specimens like "Stan" and "Trix." SUE remains a global cultural icon, driving interest in paleontology, natural history, and the wonders of the Late Cretaceous world for a new generation of museum-goers.

7 Shocking Secrets and Updates About SUE the T. Rex at the Field Museum (2025 Edition)
t rex sue field museum
t rex sue field museum

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