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Fossils

Scientists compare fossils they have just found to fossils they have already.

If they can not find a match they will look at specific features and use their knowledge of species they do know about to figure out what species the fossil may belong to.

How do we identify the fossil?

Sharp Teeth: Carnivorous AnimalSharp teeth are helpful in killing another

animal or ripping the flesh from an animal

Dull Teeth: Herbivorous AnimalDull teeth were shaped like pencils or spoons

to allow the animal to grab and snip at plants.

Teeth

Eyes set close together:These types of eyes were better for depth

perception and judging distances

Eyes set farther apart:These types of eyes allowed dinosaurs to see

almost all of the way around them. Was not good for depth perception or judging

distances

Eyes

Femur and Tibia are equal length:This indicated that the animal was a slow

runner or endurance runners

Tibia is longer than Femur:This indicates a fast runner and designed for

speed.

Femurs and Tibias

CrestsSome species of dinosaurs had crests on their heads. Some crests had large hallow tubes that would have

been used to produce sounds. These could have also been used to recognize

different species of dinosaurs. Horns/Frills

These protected the head and neck from prey as well as a defense mechanism.

Hard HeadsSome skulls were 10in thick and used to butt heads with other animals.

Skull

Tails were used as defense mechanisms to help protect and fight predators and prey.Clubbed TailsSpikey TailsLong muscular tails

Tails

Sharp Claws:Razor sharp claws were used to tear though

flesh of other animals and useful for catching prey.

Dull Claws: Dull claws were generally associated with

herbivores as they did not need sharp claws to hunt prey.

Claws

Trace Fossils can provide a lot of information regarding lives of ancient creatures.How many legs they traveled onWho they traveled with (herds)How fast they traveledSometimes even how tall they were

Fossilized Footprints

Coprolites are fossilized dino droppingsThey tell us what the dinosaur ateThey can give us information about the

environment that the dinosaur lived in

Coprolites

Scientist take samples of rock and any other fossil around the area to piece together what life might have been like at the time the dinosaur died.PlantsInsectsOther animalsPollenTypes of rock

Surrounding Fossils

Scientists find fossils that have been exposed by erosion.

Mountainous areas are some of the best places to find fossils. Mountain building activity brings fossils closer

to the surface.Erosion breaks down the rock around the

fossil to expose the fossil.In the US the Rocky Mountain region is rich

in fossils and discoveries are made often.

How do we find fossils?

Scientists will usually go hunting for fossils in very specific areas.

Mountainous regions have high erosion rates that will expose fossils the best.

If fossils were already found in an area scientists will search that area for more possible fossils.

How do we discover a fossil?