Dinosaurs come to life at National Zoo this summer

The National Zoo will feature life-size animatronic replicas of various dinos. (Courtesy National Zoo)

The zoo will feature life-size animatronic replicas of various dinos. (Courtesy National Zoo)

Each dinosaur "is fitted with electronic brains to activate and control movements and produce the sounds," said the zoo in a news release. (Courtesy National Zoo) — Each dinosaur “is fitted with electronic brains to activate and control movements and produce the sounds,” said the zoo in a news release. (Courtesy National Zoo)

“Whether you’re 5 or 50, you’ll marvel at a giant T. rex in addition to a giant panda. We’re thrilled to bring our visitors back in time for a spectacular summer," said Steve Monfort, John and Adrienne Mars, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Courtesy National Zoo) — “Whether you’re 5 or 50, you’ll marvel at a giant T. rex in addition to a giant panda. We’re thrilled to bring our visitors back in time for a spectacular summer,” said Steve Monfort, John and Adrienne Mars, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Courtesy National Zoo)

“Earth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live” takes audiences on a prehistoric journey into a new dimension where they get to meet a menagerie of insects and dinosaurs that roamed the planet millions of years ago. (Photo by C. Waits)

Featuring larger-than-life dinosaur puppets brought to life by sophisticated design and theatrical presentation and puppet mastery, these amazingly life-like dinosaur recreations connect children to paleontology. (Photo by C. Waits)

The kid-friendly show connects children to paleontology. (Photo by C. Waits)

"Erth's Dinosaur Zoo Live" mixes paleontology and puppetry. (Photo by C. Waits) — “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live” mixes paleontology and puppetry. (Photo by C. Waits)

The two different programs are part of the Smithonian National Zoo's "Dino Summer." (Photo by C. Waits) — The two different programs are part of the Smithonian National Zoo’s “Dino Summer.” (Photo by C. Waits)

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Smithsonian’s National Zoo is getting ready to host a summer of epic proportions: Among the many animal species to see, dinosaurs will live among them all from June to August.

Through its “Dino Summer,” the National Zoo is offering two distinct experiences to marvel at the prehistoric creatures using life-size, animatronic replicas and a puppet show.

DinoRoars will feature a 39-foot-long T. rex with “electronic brains to activate and control movements and produce the sounds,” according to a news release from the zoo. Visitors will also see replicas of a Compsognathus, Dilophosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Stegosaurus, Quetzalcoatlus and even some baby dinos. DinoRoars is free to the public.

“Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live” mixes paleontology and puppetry to bring both extinct insects and dinosaurs to life. The interactive 30-minute production, written and directed by Scott Wright, will feature 19 dinosaurs including Triceratops, T. rex, Megneura, Leaellynasaura, Titanosaur and more.

Performances will start at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at the zoo’s visitor center theater. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children; discounts are available for Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) members and groups of four or more through the “four-asauras” ticket pack. Tickets go on sale May 8 to the general public and on May 1 to FONZ members.

Need more dinos? Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History will open a 31,000-square foot fossil hall on June 8.