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Dinosaur Fossil Unveiled: Gnatalie

Prehistoric herbivore, nicknamed Gnatalie, has been reconstructed, showcasing unique green bones indicating it's a newly discovered species.

Published August 14, 2024 at 12:04pm by Eric Lagatta

Public to View 'Gnatalie,' a 75-Ft Green-Boned Dinosaur

A team of archaeologists has unearthed a 150-million-year-old, 75-foot-long dinosaur skeleton with unique green bones in Utah. Nicknamed "Gnatalie," it's believed to be a new herbivorous species of the sauropod family, related to Diplodocus, and may be the most complete long-necked dinosaur skeleton on the West Coast.

Dinosaurs are a great vehicle for teaching our visitors about the nature of science...what better than a green, almost 80-foot-long dinosaur to engage them in the process of scientific discovery? - Luis Chiappe, Senior VP for Research and Collections at the Natural History Museum.

Discovery & Excavation:
Gnatalie was found in 2007 in the Utah Badlands. National Geographic documented the excavation, showcasing the process in their September issue. The skeleton, composed of multiple sauropods, is distinct for its size and color.

Rare Coloring:
Gnatalie's bones are green due to the rare mineral celadonite, which preserved the dinosaurs during fossilization. This occurred due to volcanic activity 80-50 million years ago.

On Display:
The public can view Gnatalie for free at the Natural History Museum in LA starting in November. No ticket is required, and it will be displayed in the new welcome center.

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