Meet the Dueling Dinosaurs — Murphy and Manteo

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is thrilled to announce new names for the Dueling Dinosaurs - Murphy and Manteo.

The Dueling Dinosaurs are two of the most unique and best-preserved specimens ever uncovered. These 67-million-year-old fossils of a Triceratopsand a newly confirmed Nanotyrannushave been on display in the Museum's SECU DinoLab - the only paleontology preparation lab in the world that's open to the public - since April 2024. Just last month, the Nanotyrannuswas described as a distinct species, and not a teenage T. rex, as many scientists once believed.

"Naming these specimens helps people connect with them in a more personal way," says N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela Cashwell. "Murphy and Manteo are not just fossils - they're ambassadors for science, discovery and North Carolina's role in rewriting dinosaur history."

"Even though they were discovered in Montana, the Dueling Dinosaurs have since made North Carolina home," adds Museum Director Denise Young. "It's only fitting that their names represent the entirety of our great state and all the wonderful landscapes and biodiversity that it holds, from the mountains to the sea."

Murphy the Triceratops, named for the westernmost town in North Carolina, symbolizes the strength and age of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Manteo the Nanotyrannus, named for the coastal town on Roanoke Island, represents discovery, change and the spirit of scientific exploration.

If you've yet to experience the Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit, there's no better time than now. If it's been a while since your last visit, there's a lot to catch up on, as the exhibit has been updated to reflect the latest Nanotyrannusnews. Come in, talk to our Paleo Team and say hello to Murphy and to Manteo, the fossil that "flips decades of T. rexresearch on its head."

About the NC Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh (11 and 121 W. Jones St.) is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world. In addition to two downtown buildings showcasing seven floors of world-class exhibits, the Museum runs Prairie Ridge Ecostation, a 45-acre outdoor education and research facility in west Raleigh, as well as satellite facilities in Whiteville, Greenville and Grifton (Contentnea Creek). Our mission is to illuminate the natural world and inspire its conservation. Downtown Raleigh Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is free. For more information, visit www.naturalsciences.org.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

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