Zoo visitors can follow a trail through an ancient rain forest surrounded by life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that roar, snarl and move in a visiting exhibit.

Oregon Zoo photo

One of the animated dinosaurs that will be visiting the zoo during the special exhibit.

The lifelike dinosaur exhibit will open on May 17 and last through Labor Day at the Oregon Zoo.

The path will also feature activity stations with fossil digs, photo-opportunity spots and identification posts geared to all ages.

The 25 animatronic creatures on display will include a total of 14 species -- from the impressive brachiosaurus and the fierce T. rex, to the 2-foot-tall compsognathus and the flying pteranodon.

"T. rex is the star of the show, of course," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. "Stegosaurus, triceratops, the long-necked sauropods and all the popular carnivores are all represented. And some dinosaurs are just so funky that we had to have them -- like the dome-headed pachycephalosaurus."

Each of the dinosaurs is built on a steel frame and covered with intricately painted foam-rubber skin. State-of-the-art electronics and air pistons power the dinosaurs' grasping hands, menacing claws and gnashing teeth.

Dinosaur fact sheet:

Opening Date: May 17, 2008

Admission: $4 plus regular zoo admission

Size: 47,600 square feet

Species in exhibit:

Parasaurolophus

Megalosaurus

Dilophosaurus

Compsognathus

Pachycephalosaurus

Rhamphorhynchus

Brachiosaurus

Stegosaurus

Triceratops

Apatosaurus

Deinonychus

Tyrannosaurus rex

Pteranodon

Iguanodon

About the Robot Dinosaurs:

These giant mechanical dinosaurs were designed and built to scale by a team of scientists, artists and engineers. Each dinosaur is built on a steel frame and covered with intricately painted foam-rubber skin. Molds made from clay dinosaur sculptures are covered with liquid foam rubber to make each animal's skin look more realistic. State-of-the-art electronics and air pistons power the dinosaurs' movements, complete with grasping hands, menacing claws and gnashing teeth.

Additional special features:

- Audio tour

- Fossil dig

- Tyrannosaurus rex tracks

- Dinosaur babies and egg nests

- Working robot presentation

- Extinction presentations

- Train ride

- Simulator ride