Fossils

mosasaur above entrance

Explore the many fossils on display to learn more about mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, Xiphactinus and other Cretaceous period animals. You can touch the fossilized femur of Camarasaurus, learn about the evolution of plants, discover invertebrate fossils, see our T. rex, the Kansas dinosaur Silvisaurus, mammoths and more. Here are a few highlights on view in the museum.

To learn more about fossils, visit our virtual Paleo Pop-Up Mobile Museum exhibit.

Mosasaurs

mosasaur

Contrary to popular belief, not all prehistoric fossils are dinosaurs. The largest mosasaur found, Tylosaurus, was a marine reptile fossil discovered in Kansas and is the Official State Marine Fossil of Kansas. A 45-foot-long cast of this fossil looms over the 4th floor museum entrance. You can find more about mosasaurs on the 3rd and 5th floors.

Xiphactinus

Xiphactinus fossil close-up

The 16-foot long Xiphactinus featured on the 3rd floor is a giant, bony fish with jagged teeth. It once swam in the sea that covered present day Kansas. It was first discovered in Kansas in the 1850s.

Pteranodon

Fossil skeleton of Pteranodon, winged dinosaur with huge wingspan and pointed bill. Along bottom, skull and information panels

Pterandon is the Official State Flying Fossil of Kansas. The exhibit was updated in 2023, and in addition to the Pteranodon, now includes a video demonstrating why and how Pterosaurs flew, a skull, a pelvis and more.

About the Exhibit

  • 3rd Floor