“Tyrannosaurus Trek” Comes to Roanoke Island Aquarium

By Kip Tabb – 

Tyrannosaurus Rex. The last stop on the Tyrannosaurus Trek.

Walking along the “Tyrannosaurus Trek” at the Roanoke Island Aquarium is like taking a trip back in time. Way back in time. As in 65,000,000 years ago or so.

The trek is a short walk through a wooded path beside the Aquarium that is lined with animatronic dinosaurs and it is so much fun and so enjoyable that it comes with a five star recommendation—and that’s five stars out of five.

The dinosaurs move, and the movements are so smooth and so realistic, that for just one moment it truly does seem as though you have stumbled upon a stegosaurus and her young. There are details to the movements that are wonderful and add to the sense of realism. The eyes and eyelids, as an example, move smoothly and naturally.

Perhaps most surprising are the sounds. No one can be absolutely certain what sound a dinosaur makes—or made.

Triceratops family.

However, based on research done on at the University of New Mexico on an intact dinosaur skull that seemed to indicate air passages designed for sound, there are grunts and whistles filling the forest trail.

Saving the best for last, the tyrannosaurus rex is truly awe inspiring. Rearing 20’ above hapless victims, it’s teeth 6-8” daggers, there can be no doubt that the “terrible lizard king” once truly ruled its world.

The “Tyrannosaurus Trek” is just one of the exhibits this summer at the Roanoke Island Aquarium. Scheduled to be on hand all summer, it’s one more reason to visit the facility.