Zuul

Close-up Image of Zuul on dark background

Date

Closed Feb 16, 2024 to Mar 24, 2024

About

Meet Zuul crurivastator—the gnarly-faced, horned, and armoured dinosaur with a sledgehammer-like tail.


Star of ROM’s blockbuster 2018 exhibition, Zuul is back after a triumphant tour of Japan where it was viewed by over half a million people. Named after the fictional monster in the 1984 film Ghostbusters, this exceptionally preserved ankylosaur skeleton is one of the most complete ever uncovered. But what truly sets it apart is its remarkable rarity: Zuul boasts soft tissue preserved as skin and keratin-covered spikes along its lethal tail!

A Bit More About Zuul

  • Age: About 75 million years old, from the Campanian Stage of the Late Cretaceous Period 
  • Where It Was Found: Hill County, Montana, USA  
  • Diet: Plants, likely ferns and shrubs 
  • Name Meaning: The species name crurivastator means ‘destroyer of shins’, a reference to its exquisitely preserved tail. These powerful tail clubs were unique to ankylosaurine dinosaurs like Zuul, and could inflict serious damage on opponents.