Home News LEGO Dinosaurs: Building the Tyrannosaurus Rex Fossil Model

LEGO Dinosaurs: Building the Tyrannosaurus Rex Fossil Model

Author : Benjamin May 14,2025

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that captivates any dinosaur enthusiast. Upon first glance, its size is truly impressive; this is a 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex, which immediately draws you in with its commanding presence.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

A closer inspection reveals the meticulous detail in the set: the ribs are crafted at varying lengths to form a realistic rib "cage," and the dark-colored bricks create shadows that enhance the contrast with the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the set is surprisingly straightforward to assemble, making the experience enjoyable and rewarding.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

168 Images

For those with a childhood fascination with dinosaurs, the T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History was a highlight, standing tall and awe-inspiring. This fascination was further fueled by literature like Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," which vividly described the T-Rex's imposing nature:

"It came on great oiled, resilient, striding legs. It towered thirty feet above half of the trees, a great evil god, folding its delicate watchmaker's claws close to its oily reptilian chest. Each lower leg was a piston, a thousand pounds of white bone, sunk in thick ropes of muscle, sheathed over in a gleam of pebbled skin like the mail of a terrible warrior."

Historically, the T-Rex was often depicted upright with its tail dragging on the ground, a misconception that persisted for decades:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, modern paleontology has corrected this view. The T-Rex actually stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance:

Source: Field Museum

The above photo showcases "Sue," the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered, with a 90% completion rate. The discovery of "Sue" by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson in 1990 provided new insights into the T-Rex's anatomy, including the presence of *gastralia*—small bones supporting the dinosaur's belly and aiding in respiration.

Source: Universal Pictures

The 1993 film *Jurassic Park* depicted a more horizontal T-Rex, yet still leaner than the newly understood, heavier build with a substantial belly:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

This updated depiction reflects a more accurate understanding of the T-Rex's appearance, which is chubby and somewhat endearing. The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this modern understanding with its horizontal positioning, though it does not include the gastralia. The model's rib structure suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, and its arms are positioned forward, aligning with recent scientific findings.

The set comprises 25 sealed plastic bags, starting with the black stand, followed by the backbone, neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed, while the arms, head, and tail are adjustable and posable.

At nearly three-and-a-half feet long from tip to tail, this model is a significant piece that requires ample space. A wide, flat surface such as a dresser or coffee table is ideal to showcase its grandeur.

Officially part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park branded placard. However, this tie-in feels somewhat forced, as the set's name and instructions offer an option to display the T-Rex without these elements, highlighting the model's independent allure.

The inclusion of these minifigures and branding does little to enhance the set's appeal, which stands on its own merit much like the LEGO Titanic build. At $269.99, with 3011 pieces, the LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, is a sophisticated and impressive addition to any collection, available exclusively at the LEGO Store.