91欧美激情

Did you know there are fossils from the time of the dinosaurs hidden at the National Zoo?

Dinosaurs at the Zoo? Come fossil hunting among some scaly friends!

Did you know there are hidden fossils from the time of the dinosaurs buried at the Smithsonian National Zoo?

In today鈥檚 episode of 鈥淢att About Town,鈥 91欧美激情鈥檚 Matt Kaufax slithered over to the zoo 鈥 where he found there is more than meets the eye at the Reptile House.

The fossils at the zoo aren’t a part of any planned exhibit. They don’t have signs indicating where they are located. In fact, not many people (including some who work at the zoo itself) have any idea they’re there!

Built in 1931, a uniquely ornate portico marks the entrance to the zoo鈥檚 Reptile House. Above the door, a stegosaurus dinosaur mural welcomes guests as they enter through the building’s domed archway.

That’s where, if you look to your left or right, you might see pillars made of a certain red limestone 鈥 which hold prehistoric remains 鈥 if you look closely enough.

To find these fossils, Matt enlisted the help of D.C.’s resident “fossil hunter,” Christopher Barr.

By day, Barr is a lawyer at a firm in the District. But at night, he dons his Indiana Jones-style fedora and explores what he calls “D.C.’s accidental museum of paleontology.”

Barr’s background in paleontology and geology from his time in school is what fuels his side hobby. From the early 2000s, he’s been documenting hidden fossils in the D.C. area, and has amassed an entire fossil library on his online blog.

While his website has been inactive for a few years, Barr is in the process of getting things back up and running with updated locations. In the meantime, you can find the archived site with all of

Matt and Chris’ journey over to the National Zoo was their fourth adventure fossil hunting together in D.C. You can watch previous installments of Matt’s “Fossil Hunters” mini series below, where he and Chris explored:

Hidden fossils in steps leading up to the Lincoln Memorial.

Prehistoric remains in floor of the MLK Jr. Memorial gift shop at the Tidal Basin.

And fossils in the floors, the walls and even the bathrooms of D.C.’s National Gallery of Art.

Hear 鈥淢att About Town鈥 first every Tuesday and Thursday on 103.5 FM!聽

If you have a story idea you鈥檇 like Matt to cover, email him, or chat with him on听补苍诲.

Check out all 鈥淢att About Town鈥 episodes听丑别谤别!

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

漏 2024 91欧美激情. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Matt Kaufax

If there's an off-the-beaten-path type of attraction, person, or phenomenon in the DC area that you think more people should know about, Matt is your guy. As the features reporter for 91欧美激情, he's always on the hunt for stories that provide a unique local flavor鈥攁 slice of life if you will.

Federal 91欧美激情 Network Logo
Log in to your 91欧美激情 account for notifications and alerts customized for you.