October 21, 2024

Science is a body of shared knowledge that grows every day. Today, we’re excited to announce a surprising new fact — and a name change for one of our Dinosaur Trail residents!

When the Museum of Life and Science’s Dinosaur Trail opened in 2009, Stygimoloch was one of several species of pachycephalosaurids (dome-skulled dinosaurs). Stygimoloch were much smaller than their better-known relative Pachycephalosaurus. They looked very different, with large spikes surrounding their bony skull.

Soon after in 2010, paleontologists at Montana’s Museum of the Rockies had an idea. They tested bone fragments from each species, seeing what age they were when they died. All their Pachycephalosaurus fossils were adults. All the Stygimoloch were young.

Could these very different dinosaurs be one species, changing as they grow up? It takes years for one person’s idea to become a scientific consensus. Paleontologists disagreed and debated. They tested new fossils, trying to prove themselves wrong.

Today, scientists agree. Stygimoloch were just young Pachycephalosaurus! The Museum is celebrating with a new graphic panel for our Pachycephalosaurus models, sharing their new name and its story.

Even though these creatures lived millions of years ago, there’s still so much to learn about them. New discoveries are always being made. The next generation of dinosaur lovers may know more about their lives than we can imagine today.