Oklahoma designated Saurophaganax Maximus as the official state fossil in 2000 as a symbol of Oklahoma's rich paleontological heritage. Quote from legislation:
"This spectacular dinosaur, the 'greatest king of reptile eaters,' once roamed this great land. It is only known from Oklahoma and has surpassed the Tyrannosaurus rex, the 'king of the dinosaurs,' as the greatest predator of earth's history."
