Honestly, if you haven’t stood underneath those massive, serrated teeth at the Field Museum, you’re missing out on one of the few things in this world that actually lives up to the hype. SUE the T. rex Chicago isn't just some dusty pile of rocks in a glass case. We’re talking about 90% of a real, breathing apex predator that once stomped through South Dakota 67 million years ago.
But here’s the thing: most people just walk in, take a selfie, and leave without realizing they’re looking at the most expensive, legally controversial, and scientifically "sassy" skeleton on the planet.
The Flat Tire That Changed Everything
Paleontology is usually about slow, methodical brushing in the dirt. Not for SUE. This discovery was basically a fluke. Back in August 1990, a team from the Black Hills Institute was packing up to leave a site in South Dakota. Their truck had a flat tire. While the rest of the crew was sweating over a jack, Sue Hendrickson decided to go for a walk.
She hiked over to some cliffs and saw three huge vertebrae sticking out of the rock. Just like that. No high-tech sensors, just a lucky stroll.
The team spent 17 days digging out what turned out to be the most complete adult Tyrannosaurus rex ever found. Most T. rex finds are lucky to have 40% or 50% of the bones. SUE has about 250 of the 380 known bones. That’s why scientists lose their minds over this specimen; it’s a nearly perfect map of a giant.
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The $8.4 Million Custody Battle
You’d think finding a dinosaur would be a "finders keepers" situation, right? Wrong. What followed was a legal mess that involved the FBI, the National Guard, and a five-year court battle. Basically, the land where SUE was found belonged to Maurice Williams, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. But because the land was held in trust by the U.S. government, the "sale" of the bones to the Black Hills Institute for $5,000 was ruled invalid.
The feds actually raided the Institute and seized the bones.
Ultimately, the courts gave SUE back to Williams, who decided to auction the fossil off at Sotheby’s. Museums were terrified a private collector would buy it and hide it in a basement. The Field Museum in Chicago had to scramble. They teamed up with McDonald’s and Disney to raise the cash. In 1997, they dropped $8.36 million to bring SUE to Chicago. Adjusted for inflation today, that’s a mountain of burgers and theme park tickets.
Why SUE Looks Different Now (The Belly Ribs)
If you haven’t been to the Field Museum since 2018, you haven't actually seen the "real" SUE. For years, SUE stood in the main hall looking kinda sleek and athletic.
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Then the museum moved the skeleton to a private suite in the "Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet." During the move, they added the gastralia. These are belly ribs that look like a second ribcage under the stomach.
"T. rex had a bulging belly—it wasn't sleek and gazelle-like the way you might think," says Pete Makovicky, the museum’s former curator of dinosaurs.
Basically, SUE went from looking like a track star to looking like a tank. These ribs helped the dinosaur breathe, acting a bit like a bird’s respiratory system. It turns out T. rex was a lot chunkier than Jurassic Park led us to believe.
SUE’s Rough Life
When you look at the bones, you aren't just looking at a statue. You're looking at a medical chart. This dinosaur had a hard life:
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- A broken leg: The left fibula is twice the size of the right one because of a massive infection that actually healed.
- Facial holes: There are smooth holes in the jaw. For a long time, people thought it was a parasite from eating infected prey (trichomoniasis), but newer research suggests it might be bite marks from another T. rex during a fight—or even courtship.
- Arthritis: SUE lived to be about 33 years old, which is "senior citizen" status for a T. rex. The tail shows signs of arthritis.
Finding SUE: Tips for Your Visit
Don't just run to the dinosaur hall. You’ve gotta be strategic. The Field Museum is massive—you’ll walk miles if you aren't careful.
- Look for the Real Skull: The skull on the skeleton is actually a cast (a high-quality replica). Why? Because the real skull weighs 600 pounds and is too heavy for the metal mount to hold up safely. You’ll find the actual skull in a separate glass case nearby. It's distorted by millions of years of rock pressure, which makes it look even more menacing.
- The Light Show: Every so often, the gallery dims, and a narrated light show highlights specific bones as the narrator tells SUE's story. It’s worth the 10-minute wait.
- Check Twitter: This sounds weird, but @SUEtheTrex is one of the funniest accounts on the internet. The museum gives SUE a "non-binary" sassy persona that comments on everything from Chicago hot dogs to why birds are just "failed dinosaurs."
Practical Next Steps for Your Chicago Trip
If you're planning to see SUE the T. rex Chicago, here is exactly how to do it without losing your mind or all your money.
- Buy tickets online: Seriously. The lines at the Field Museum can be brutal, especially on weekends.
- Check the Illinois Resident Days: If you live in-state, the museum has free days throughout the year. You still need to reserve a spot, and they fill up weeks in advance.
- Start at the Top: Take the elevator to the top floor and work your way down. Most people start on the ground floor and are exhausted by the time they reach the ancient civilizations and the dinosaurs.
- The SUE Merchandise: The gift shop has SUE-specific gear you can't get elsewhere. If you're a nerd for paleontology, the "SUE the T. rex" plushies are actually scientifically accurate (belly ribs and all).
Getting to see SUE is a reminder that we’re just a tiny blip in Earth's history. This animal was the "Tyrant Lizard King" for a reason. Seeing those 58 teeth up close—some as big as bananas—is enough to make you very glad they've been extinct for 66 million years.
Actionable Insight: Before you go, download the Field Museum app. It has an interactive map that specifically tracks "SUE's Journey," ensuring you don't miss the smaller fossils found in the same South Dakota dig site that help paint the picture of the Cretaceous world.