North Dakota Unearths Rare T. rex Skeleton, Mammoth Fossils

The North Dakota Geological Survey has made a significant discovery, unearthing a new skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex at a site in southwest North Dakota. The bones were first identified in September 2024 during a search for crocodile fossils in Bowman County. This find was publicly announced for the first time on November 25, 2024, according to State Paleontologist Clint Boyd.

Due to the approaching winter, excavation of the site could not commence until this year. To date, researchers have uncovered between nine and ten bones, including vertebrae, a tooth, part of the tail, and an ankle. Boyd noted that this is the third partial T. rex skeleton found in North Dakota. He emphasized the importance of such discoveries, stating, “Any T. rex specimen that you find that’s got more than five or six bones is a significant discovery because the animal’s so rare.”

Mammoth Fossil Discoveries Add to Research Value

In addition to the T. rex find, the Geological Survey provided updates on two mammoth fossils currently being excavated. One specimen is located beneath a residential garage in northwest North Dakota, while the other was found at a coal mine near Beulah. Boyd reported that the mammoth under the garage exhibits deep grooves in its vertebrae, which may indicate severe malnutrition or bone disease. “It was probably very sick toward the end of its life,” he explained.

Notably, these deformities are rare in mammoth fossils, with similar cases documented only in specimens from Asia and Europe. Boyd highlighted the potential for this specimen to significantly contribute to the understanding of mammoths, stating, “So it’s going to be not just a nice, beautiful specimen eventually coming into the state fossil collection, but actually a significant specimen that’s going to teach us more about these animals.”

The site has also yielded bones from small mammals, hinting that researchers may uncover a comprehensive ecological story from this excavation.

Preservation of Columbian Mammoth Fossils

The second mammoth fossil was discovered during the Memorial Day weekend of 2023, when coal miners unearthed a remarkable seven-foot tusk. Following nearly a year of cleaning and preservation, the tusk has been fully prepared for further study. Along with the tusk, other bones such as a hip, one shoulder blade, and some ribs have been identified. Based on the tusk’s characteristics, Boyd indicated that this mammoth is likely a Columbian mammoth, rather than the more commonly known woolly mammoth.

Both discoveries hold immense potential for public education and scientific inquiry. Boyd confirmed that the fossils will eventually be displayed for the public, allowing visitors to engage with these extraordinary specimens that shed light on the prehistoric life of North Dakota.