🦖 Trivia of the Day
Published on November 24, 2025
What is the name of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever discovered?
The correct answer is Sue. Discovered in 1990 in South Dakota by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson, this extraordinary Tyrannosaurus rex fossil is the most complete and best-preserved specimen ever found. Nicknamed “Sue” after her discoverer, the skeleton is approximately 90% complete and measures about 40 feet (12 meters) long and 13 feet (4 meters) tall at the hips.
Sue resides at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois. The fossil has provided paleontologists with invaluable insights into the anatomy, growth, and hunting behavior of one of Earth’s most fearsome predators. Radiometric dating places Sue at roughly 67 million years old, from the Late Cretaceous Period.
The discovery also became the subject of legal disputes and documentaries, including Dinosaur 13 (2014), which chronicles the fossil’s excavation and ownership battle. Today, Sue stands as one of the most visited museum exhibits in the world and an enduring icon of paleontology.
Fun fact: Despite her name, scientists aren’t certain of Sue’s biological sex — the fossil’s name simply honors its discoverer.