HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 390

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DESIGNATING THE DRYPTOSAURIDAE THE OFFICIAL DINOSAUR OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, many states have designated an official state dinosaur to accompany their other state symbols, such as an official state flower, flag, bird, and insect; and

WHEREAS, a dryptosaurid is any dinosaur in the family Dryptosauridae and the Dryptosaurus is a genus of dinosaur within the family Dryptosauridae; and

WHEREAS, bones of a dryptosaurid, which were originally thought to be from a Gallimimus or an Ornithomimus , were found in exposures of the Merchantville Formation on the southern bank of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C & D Canal) in the Summit Bridge area; and

WHEREAS, the dryptosaurid bones found in Delaware have not been given a formal name yet because they have not completed the rigorous scientific review process for naming new species; and

WHEREAS, other fossils have been found in Delaware, including near St. Georges, in the foundation of the Reedy Point Bridge, and in the banks of both Coursey Pond and Killens Pond; and

WHEREAS, most of the other fossils found in Delaware, including those found in the C & D Canal, have been marine fossils from the time of dinosaurs or after they became extinct; and

WHEREAS, the only other dinosaur bones that have been found in Delaware are those of a hadrosaurid, most likely Hadrosaurus foulkii , which New Jersey has already designated as its official state dinosaur; and

WHEREAS, dryptosaurids were bird-like predators, related to the Tyrannosaurus rex , and they relied on speed in hunting and avoiding other predators; and

WHEREAS, while there is no direct evidence, it is most likely that dryptosaurids had feathers; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s state bird is the blue hen chicken, making it meaningful to have a bird-like state dinosaur; and

WHEREAS, the dryptosaurids’ speed, and the fact that it was bird-like, connect it as a symbol to the Dover Air Force Base; and

WHEREAS, dryptosaurids would have gone to the ancient shore line but feasted on land, like Delaware’s shore birds do now, so as an official state symbol, the Dryptosauridae would be a reminder of Delaware’s ecosystems and how populations, birds, and sea life must be protected.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 3, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 330. State dinosaur.

The Dryptosauridae is designated the official dinosaur of this State.

SYNOPSIS

This Act designates the Dryptosauridae as the official dinosaur of this State. Dryptosauridae bones have been found in the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The only other dinosaur bones that have been found in Delaware are those of a hadrosaurid, most likely Hadrosaurus foulkii, which New Jersey has already designated as its official state dinosaur.

Students at Shue-Medill Middle School, in the Christina School District, researched and identified the Dryptosauridae as the best choice for the official state dinosaur for Delaware. The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science assisted the students with this research and the decision that the Dryptosauridae would be the best choice for Delaware’s official state dinosaur was reached through a school-wide vote. A reconstruction of a dryptosaurid skeleton, Dryptosaurus aquilunguis, will be on display in the new PaeloZone of the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.

Using their research, the students drafted the whereas clauses for this Act to explain the basis for their decision, which includes all of the following:

1. The Dryptosauridae was bird-like but was also a predator and is related to Tyrannosaurus rex.

2. Delaware’s state bird is the blue hen chicken, so it would be meaningful to have a bird-like state dinosaur.

3. Delaware is also home to the Dover Air Force Base, and this dinosaur relied on speed to escape from predators and was incredibly fast.

4. The Dryptosauridae went to the ancient shoreline, but feasted on land like Delaware’s shore birds do now, so it is a reminder of Delaware's ecosystems and how populations, birds, and sea life must be protected.