Why did so many unrelated animal species evolve body armor? Because it works! Dinosaur Armor explores over 500 million years of armor evolution through animal specimens, fossil casts, scientifically accurate illustrations.
Check out this behind-the-scenes video to learn more about the exhibition.
Temporary exhibition: 7,800 square ft
June 2020 - July 2021
Roles: exhibition development, project coordination
Visitors will understand three major evolutionary functions of "armor": ornamental, protective, and combative
Visitors will feel excited to see creatures they may not have heard of before and surprised by their unique physical adaptations
Visitors will be able to imagine thrilling moments in predator vs prey relationships between armored and non-armored animals
Four section overviews explain how body armor evolved, from the first armored creatures of the sea to reptiles and mammals.
Specimen labels described how the creature likely used their armor when alive, drawing connections to other animals or behaviors visitors might be familiar with.
Descriptive language on scene labels helped visitors imagine what these frozen moments of predators pursuing armored prey might have felt like in life.
Brief wall text summarized the main points at a glance for visitors less interested in reading labels.