LAWS OF DELAWARE
VOLUME 83
CHAPTER 501
151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FORMERLY
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:
The Dryptosauridae is designated the official dinosaur of this State.
Approved October 26, 2022