Nori the Mosasaur puppet was constructed during rain days on a public fossil dig. Suspecting poor weather, I packed my sewing machine along with, and visited a local fabric store for supplies.

The puppet became a staple for the “Prehistoric Fishing” presentation / activity. One paleontologist would “fish” with a small fishing pole tipped with a carabiner, and the other paleontologist (me) would hide behind a screen and attach quilted and painted life-size fish onto the “hook.” Periodically, something stole the bait…

Cue screaming and pointing from the young audiences! Behold, behind the screen there lives a monster! My colleague would play dumb, looking left while the mosasaur popped up right. “It’s right behind you! It’s blue!” – he would look at the water – “Of course the water is blue!”

Fish coloration was inspired by artist Ray Troll – permission was asked and received for the fish to vaguely mimic his paintings.