Nanotyrannus dinosaur skeleton goes on display in Manhattan

A rare Nanotyrannus dinosaur skeleton, nicknamed ‘Jodi’, is currently on public display at the Sotheby’s headquarters in Manhattan. The specimen, which stands 6.5 feet tall and measures nearly 20 feet long, is expected to be auctioned on October 27 with an estimated value between $6 million and $9 million.

Scientific research conducted in October 2025 helped resolve a long-standing debate regarding whether Nanotyrannus was a distinct genus or merely a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. By examining growth rings within preserved bones, paleontologists concluded that these specimens were fully formed adults. This discovery confirms that Nanotyrannus coexisted with T. rex approximately 67 million years ago, occupying a different ecological niche similar to the relationship between a lion and a cheetah.

The skeleton is noted for its distinct proportions, including longer arms and legs and more slender, bladelike teeth compared to a T. rex. It is considered one of only three such skeletons known to exist, with approximately 70 percent of its bones preserved.