T-Rex at Zoo Knoxville! The (animatronic) dinosaurs are back with 'Planet Predator'

Visitors to Zoo Knoxville might notice a few new and rarely seen creatures added throughout the grounds. “Planet Predator,” presented by Chick-fil-A Knoxville, features lifelike prehistoric predators, including dinosaurs.

Transporting guests back in time to eras long past, Planet Predator features an array of animatronic predators from the ancient world. From the towering Giganotosaurus to the slithering 40-foot-long Titanoboa, this exhibit introduces guests to some of the most ferocious creatures ever to roam the Earth. It also covers monsters from the depths of ancient seas, such as the sea scorpion.

JJ Jones with Zoo Knoxville said that “last season we ran a Dawn of the Dinosaurs exhibit that was wildly successful, so we wanted to do something like that again. Our research showed that people are really excited about the idea of predators because of their unique features and hunting tactics.”

Planet Predator doesn’t focus only on the age of the dinosaurs, but also on the Ice Age. Zoo Knoxville has special displays on the mighty sabertooth tiger and the formidable dire wolf. The goal of the exhibit is to showcase a diverse lineup of predators, each meticulously re-created to capture the essence of its prehistoric counterpart.

While most of the animals are animatronic (except for the live ones we are used to), there are two that are stationary for photos: the Megalodon head and T-Rex. Jones pointed out that “If you have come to the zoo in the past few months, you have seen us setting these creatures up. We have some big ones on our nature trail that opened May 1. Now when you go on the nature trail, you will see six of the creatures including the terrifying terror bird.”

Planet Predator features 16 species of birds, mammals, and dinosaurs. This immersive experience will give guests a glimpse of how these animals survived and hunted their prey.

"Planet Predator" is not only a thrilling adventure for guests of all ages but also a unique educational opportunity. Visitors learning about the behaviors and habitats of these ancient predators will gain a deeper appreciation on how we can preserve our natural world today.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: T-Rex at Zoo Knoxville! The (animatronic) dinosaurs are back