The Spinning Dromaeosaur: A 'Rotisserie Chicken' Star in the Basement of Japan's National Museum of Nature and Science

On the basement level of the National Museum of Nature and Science's Earth Hall in Japan, there's an exhibit that looks serious but has unexpectedly become a hit – a Deinonychus skeleton model. Visitors can operate a touch panel, and the skeleton slowly rotates, allowing observation of its bone structure from various angles like the front, side, and back. Because the support axis runs horizontally through its body, combined with the even rotation and the display case lighting, it looks like a chicken rotating on a rotisserie, earning it the nickname 'Spinning Rotisserie Chicken' among #かはく fans. Even the official tweet jokingly mentioned that fans describe it as 'like rotisserie chicken.' Beyond the joke, this display has significant scientific value. Deinonychus was a small carnivorous dinosaur active in the early Cretaceous period, characterized by a sickle-shaped claw on its second toe of its hind foot. Its skeletal structure indicates agile movement, and it has a close relationship with birds. Through rotation, viewers can more intuitively understand its body proportions, posture, and evolutionary features. Next time you visit the museum, be sure to find this 'rotisserie chicken' in the basement. Operating the panel yourself to watch it spin will not only educate you but also bring a knowing smile to your face. Watching the video... indeed, if the lighting were adjusted a bit more and some smoke added, it would look quite like the leftover bones of a finished rotisserie chicken 🤣🤣🤣