Now open in Williams, Arizona!
MEET BARNUM, THE T. REX POOP - THE WORLD'S LARGEST COPROLITE
The "#2" Wonder of the World!
For over two decades, Poozeum's founder, George Frandsen, embarked on an extraordinary quest to discover the largest true coprolite (fossilized poop) on Earth. His mission: to surpass the impressive 44 cm by 16 cm (17.3 in by 6.3 in) Tyrannosaurus rex coprolite housed at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.
In an exhilarating start to 2020, George accomplished his dream by acquiring an awe-inspiring coprolite from South Dakota, USA. Surpassing the Canadian coprolite in size, Barnum joined the Poozeum's colossal collection of fossilized poop. It didn't take long for Guinness World Records to recognize Barnum as the largest carnivore coprolite on the planet.
Want to know more about Barnum the coprolite? Check out the following Q&A
How do you know Barnum the coprolite was made by a Tyrannosaurus rex?
The only Hell Creek Formation carnivore large enough to produce such a large bone-filled poop was T. rex. It was also found in close proximity to where T. rex skeletons have been discovered.
How do you know Barnum is truly a coprolite and not just a rock?
Several methods were used to determine that this specimen is a coprolite rather than a rock. They are:
- A X-ray fluorescence analysis was conducted on this specimen by a third party laboratory. The analysis showed the presence of phosphorous and calcium in significant amounts. These results are consistent with other large carnivorous coprolites that have been discovered.
- It’s poop shaped! This specimen is long, cylindrical, and has a rounded topside with a flat bottom. It also has a neat bend which could have occurred when it fell from the T. rex hitting the ground.
- It contains a high percentage of crushed bone inclusions. This shows that the bones were chomped and digested by T. rex rather than being naturally deposited into the prehistoric sediment.
Why is it named Barnum?
The coprolite is named after Paleontologist, Barnum Brown, who discovered the first Tyrannosaurs rex. Interestingly enough, Barnum Brown was named after P.T. Barnum, the American showman and Barnum & Bailey Circus founder. We believe the name is a fine tribute to both men.
How big is Barnum the coprolite?
67.5 cm by 15.7 cm / 26.5 in by 6.2 in (Length measured along central curve)
How much does Barnum the coprolite weigh?
It weighs 9.28 kg / 20.47 lbs / 8.18 courics
How old is Barnum the coprolite?
It is from the Hell Creek Formation of the Late Cretaceous, which is approximately 70-66.5 million years ago.
Where was Barnum the coprolite found?
It was discovered on a private ranch near Buffalo, Harding County, South Dakota, USA.
Why is Barnum the coprolite still in a plaster jacket?
It remains in the plaster jacket to keep it safe from cracking and damage. The picture above is actually of Barnum’s bottom-side. The rounded top-side is covered by the jacket.
Have more questions, or are you interested in hosting Barnum at your museum? Drop us a note using our Contact page.
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