Gnatalie: The Rare Green Dinosaur Unveiled at LA Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles has unveiled a new dinosaur species named Gnatalie, the only known dinosaur with green bones. The unique coloration comes from celadonite, a rare mineral. Discovered in 2007, Gnatalie’s fossils date back to the Jurassic Era, offering new insights into sauropod diversity and anatomy.

The Natural History Museum in Los Angeles has introduced Gnatalie, a newly discovered dinosaur species whose bones are uniquely green, a rare phenomenon attributed to the mineral celadonite. Normally, fossils exhibit brown or black hues due to silica or iron minerals, but the green coloration on Gnatalie stems from ancient volcanic activity that replaced a pre-existing mineral with celadonite.

Excavated in 2007 in the Badlands of Utah, Gnatalie lived around 150 million years ago during the late Jurassic Era, predating the famous Tyrannosaurus rex. This long-necked, long-tailed herbivore adds a significant chapter to our understanding of sauropod species, typically massive plant-eaters like Diplodocus, Brontosaurus, and Brachiosaurus.

Museum officials showcased the newly mounted skeleton, the most extensive sauropod ever displayed at the institution. The dinosaur, named by public vote, will be featured in the museum's new welcome center this fall, enhancing the educational experience of visitors and shining a spotlight on the intricate processes of fossilization and scientific discovery.

(With inputs from agencies.)