Epic Dino Showdown in Southern Alberta | Dinosaurs

 

 

Epic Dino Showdown in Southern Alberta: Drumheller Giants vs. Calgary Zoo Roars!

Southern Alberta is the ultimate Dinosaurs playground, proudly known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World! On our latest KassDays family road trip adventure, we dove headfirst into prehistoric fun, comparing the massive static wonders of Drumheller with the thrilling, moving marvels at the Calgary Zoo. Start in Drumheller, nestled in the stunning Canadian Badlands. This quirky town bursts with over 30 colourful dinosaur statues scattered everywhere—perfect for a whimsical Dino Walk through streets, parks, and corners. The crown jewel? Tyra, the World's Largest Dinosaur—a towering T-Rex standing about 86 feet (26 meters) tall and stretching 151 feet (46 meters) long! Built in 2000 from fiberglass and steel, she's four times bigger than a real T-Rex. Climb the 106 stairs inside for jaw-dropping views of the rugged badlands from her massive mouth. It's a classic, iconic roadside attraction that's pure family joy! Then we headed to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's Prehistoric Park for next-level excitement: lifelike animatronic dinosaurs that move, roar, blink, and feel incredibly alive! These seasonal, high-tech beasts bring the Cretaceous era roaring back—ideal for immersive, heart-pounding experiences that make kids (and adults) gasp in awe. Our latest cute YouTube Short captures this fun face-off: giant stone T-Rex vs. roaring robo-dinos! Watch it here: https://youtube.com/shorts/ufFN2isRxw0For the complete guide—more Drumheller discoveries, badlands hikes, fossil tips, and all the family highlights—check out our full road trip video: Ultimate Alberta Dinosaur Road Trip | Drumheller & Calgary Zoo Southern Alberta's mix of quirky statues, epic climbs, and animated thrills makes it a must-visit for any dino lover. Planning your own KassDays prehistoric escape? Which dino is your fave—T-Rex, Triceratops, or something fiercer? Drop a comment below and let's chat!

A Tale of Spinosaurus the Sail Backed Hunter

The Sail-Backed Hunter: A Tale of Spinosaurus

In the steamy swamps of ancient North Africa, where lazy rivers wound through lush floodplains under a scorching sun, roamed a colossal beast known as Spinosaurus—the "spine lizard."  Picture this: a young Spinosaurus hatchling emerges from its egg, already equipped with a row of budding spines along its back that would one day form a majestic sail, towering up to six feet high. As it grows, this sail becomes its signature, perhaps shimmering with colours for display to attract mates or intimidate rivals, or maybe acting as a solar panel to regulate body temperature in the humid heat. Our hero, let's call him Sailfin, learns quickly that survival in this world demands cunning and adaptation.  Fossil Store

Sailfin lived during the Late Cretaceous period, roughly 112 to 93 million years ago, in what is now Egypt and Morocco, a time when the supercontinent Gondwana was breaking apart, creating vast wetlands teeming with life. Live Science

Unlike the thundering Tyrannosaurus rex of North America, Sailfin wasn't just a land-bound terror; he was a semi-aquatic marvel, the largest carnivorous dinosaur ever discovered, stretching up to 18 meters long and weighing as much as 20 tons.

His long, crocodile-like snout, lined with conical teeth perfect for snaring slippery prey, dipped into murky waters where he ambushed fish like giant sawfish or lungfish, much like a modern heron or grizzly bear.  But Sailfin wasn't picky; his diet included other aquatic creatures, such as turtles and small crocodiles, and he might even scavenge or hunt terrestrial dinosaurs when the opportunity arose, using powerful forelimbs with hooked claws to grapple victims.

Day after day, Sailfin patrolled his riverine domain, his dense bones and paddle-like tail propelling him through the water with surprising grace—recent discoveries suggest he was more at home swimming than striding on land, a true river monster adapted to a life half-submerged.

The sail on his back might have helped with buoyancy or served as a fin for stability while hunting in currents. In this vibrant ecosystem, survival meant outsmarting competitors like the massive Carcharodontosaurus, a fellow predator that prowled the drier lands nearby. Sailfin's aquatic edge gave him an advantage, allowing him to retreat into the depths when threats loomed, or to launch surprise attacks from below.

Yet, even mighty Sailfin couldn't escape the whims of a changing world. Around 93 million years ago, the climate shifted; the once-wet habitats began to dry out, rivers shrank, and the abundant fish populations dwindled.

Spinosaurus and its kin faded into extinction long before the final curtain fell on the dinosaur era. For the dinosaurs as a whole, scientists overwhelmingly point to a cataclysmic event 66 million years ago: a massive asteroid slammed into Earth near modern-day Mexico, triggering wildfires, tsunamis, and a "nuclear winter" that blocked sunlight, collapsed food chains, and wiped out about 75% of species, including all non-avian dinosaurs.

Volcanic activity in India may have contributed, spewing ash and gases that altered the global climate. Today, birds, the descendants of small, feathered theropods, remind us that not all dinosaur lineages vanished.

In the shadow of Sailfin's statue at the Calgary Zoo's Prehistoric Park, where it roars eternally against a blue sky, we glimpse this lost world. It's a reminder of nature's grand experiments, where giants like Spinosaurus thrived through adaptation, only to be claimed by forces beyond their control. What tales might other fossils whisper if we listen?

These are some of the pictures taken on a trip to the Calgary Zoo and we thought we would include a tale of the past in regard to Spinosaurus. If you have any questions please let us know. 

Dinosaur Ankylosaurus at the Calgary Zoo

Ankylosaurus was a large, heavily armored dinosaur that roamed the earth during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 68-66 million years ago. It is believed to have existed alongside other famous dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

This impressive creature was characterized by its massive size, reaching lengths of up to 25 feet and weighing around 4 tons. Its most distinctive feature was the thick, bony plates that covered its body, providing protection from predators. Additionally, it boasted a tail with a club-like structure at the end, which it likely used for defense against attackers.

The Ankylosaurus was a herbivore, meaning it primarily fed on plants and foliage. Due to its heavily armored body and imposing size, it likely had few natural enemies, although it may have had to contend with the occasional predator looking for a meal.

Scientists have been able to piece together the appearance of the Ankylosaurus through fossilized remains, providing a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric world. Its unique features and impressive size make it a popular subject of fascination for both researchers and dinosaur enthusiasts alike.

Studying dinosaurs like the Ankylosaurus allows us to better understand the ancient world and the diverse creatures that once inhabited it. It also serves as a reminder of the incredible diversity and majesty of life on Earth throughout history. As our knowledge of dinosaurs continues to grow, we gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the remarkable creatures that have come before us.

As to this image. here, this was taken at the Calgary Zoo and from what I can find this is an Ankylosaurus, he/she does have the beak that the Ankylosaurus is said to have.