The Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Newest Exhibition Opens on March 21 to Reveal a Hidden World of Ancient, Giant Marine Reptiles

DENVER, March 14, 2025 – The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is opening its newest temporary exhibition, “Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep,” on March 21. Earth's oceans have been home to some of the largest, fiercest and most successful predators ever to exist. “Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep” takes guests back 200 million years to experience a prehistoric underwater world never before seen.

“This exhibition reveals a hidden world of ancient, giant marine reptiles that once ruled our planet’s oceans,” said Dr. Gussie Maccracken, curator of paleobotany at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. “It’s an incredible opportunity for guests to step back in time and experience the wonder and power of these prehistoric creatures in a way that’s both educational and thrilling.”

When dinosaurs ruled the land, the oceans teemed with equally fascinating and fearsome creatures. The exhibition invites guests to explore the astonishing life of ancient seas - from the mighty Jurassic plesiosaur to the colossal megalodon that lived millions of years later - and uncover the captivating story of their evolution and ecosystems.

Details and Highlights:

• Discover stunning fossil specimens that tell the story of evolution and adaptations of prehistoric sea creatures that coexisted with dinosaurs, including the largest known ocean predators, from Jurassic sharks to the formidable mosasaurs of the Cretaceous
• Engage with hands-on activities, including a lightbox puzzle illustrating fossil reconstruction and a magnetic ocean scene-building activity
• Explore the life of Mary Anning, a pioneering paleontologist whose discoveries helped shape our understanding of prehistoric marine life
• Touchable items! Take the opportunity to touch and feel fossil specimens from an underwater prehistoric past, including a massive megalodon tooth, a mosasaur tooth and a plesiosaur vertebra fossil
• Experience bilingual content in both English and Spanish throughout the exhibition

This exhibition is developed and produced by London’s Natural History Museum and runs from March 21 through Sept. 7.

“The Natural History Museum in London is delighted to see this remarkable exhibition, Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep, open at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science,” said Dr. Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, London. “I have no doubt that visitors to this exhibition will be in awe as they get to know some of the fearsome animals that dominated the oceans millions of years ago, and learn that dinosaurs weren’t the only impressive reptiles around in the Jurassic.”

“Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep” is sponsored by The Denver Foundation. For more information about the exhibition, visit https://www.dmns.org/exhibitions/temporary-exhibitions/jurassicoceans/.

Media Previews

The Museum is offering early access to the exhibition for reporters on assignment March 19-20.

Please contact Sarah Sparks at [email protected] to schedule walkthrough tours or interviews with the exhibition’s curators and experts.

Online Press Kit

For images, exhibition expert bios and additional information about the exhibition experience, please visit our online press kit: https://brandfolder.com/dmns/jurassic-oceans

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About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain region’s leading resource for formal and informal science education. Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Connect with the Museum on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Catalyst.

About Natural History Museum, London

The Natural History Museum in London is a world-leading science centre and one of the most visited attractions in the UK. A global source of curiosity, inspiration and joy. Our vision is to build a future in which both people and the planet thrive. We aim to be a catalyst for change, engaging advocates for the planet in everything that we do. Our 370 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency in all aspects of life. Visit, join and support the Natural History Museum today. Protecting the planet. It's in our nature.