The roar returns to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this spring with the opening of DINOSAURS! on Thursday, May 6. The wildly popular exhibit features a collection of robotic monsters ranging from newly hatched Iguanodons to the slender and swift Elaphrosaurus.
Back for its fifth summer since 2003, DINOSAURS! is bigger and better than ever -- featuring 18 prehistoric beasts, including many never before seen at the Zoo. The larger-than-life creatures seemingly come alive to the delight of children and adults alike, drawing more than 400,000 visitors during their last tour in 2009.
Returning favorites include the 20-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex and the water-spitting Dilophosaurus. New additions include the crocodile-like Sarcosuchus, the thickly-horned Carnotaurus and the long-necked Brachiosaurus, just to name a few.
State-of-the-art electronics and air pistons power the dinosaurs' lifelike movements while a booming sound system provides their bone-chilling roars. The creatures are built on steel frames by Billings Productions of McKinney, Texas, and covered with intricately painted foam rubber as skin.
DINOSAURS! is open daily through September 12, and is just $1 per person in addition to regular Zoo admission. It's free for Zoo members, children under 2 and school groups through the end of the school year.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with hours extended to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $10 per person, $7 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children under 2 and Zoo members.
To learn more, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500.