Understanding Fossils Lesson #2

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Dinosaur Fossils

When people think fossils, they think dinosaurs. Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years. They died our long before people walked the Earth. The only information we have about these giant creatures is what paleontologists have discovered after studying fossils. Over 1,000 different species have been discovered from different fossils that have been found. Fossils are still being discovered today of new species of dinosaurs!

Fossils of dinosaurs have been found on every continent, including Antarctica. However, most dinosaur fossils have been found in North America, China, and Argentina. There are two main types of dinosaur fossils that can be discovered.

One type is a "body fossil" which is fossilized body parts of dinosaurs including bones, internal organs, soft body tissue, teeth, and feathers.

Multiple Choice

What is an example of a body fossil?

• foot prints

• leaves

• bones

The second type of dinosaur fossil that can be discovered are "trace fossils." These are fossils that reflect an activity that a dinosaur may have done, like a footprint ot tail being dragged in the ground.

Multiple Choice

What is an example of a trace fossil?

• footprints

• teeth

• feathers

Some fossils that have been found are considered frozen in time.

What do you think that means?

In 1971, paleontologists discovered an enormous sized fossil of two dinosaurs fighting. They believe that while they were fighting, a sand clif fell and buried them alive, capturing the exact scene of their battle.

Another dinosaur scene that was discovered from a large fossil was a nest of sauropod eggs. The nest was actually under attack from snakes when it was covered by dust and fossilized.

It is fossilized dinosaur scenes like these that help paleontologists understand about the lifestyles, habits, and body development of dinosaurs.

For example, a fossil scene provided information to support the use of tail spikes on a stegosaurus. Scientists believe that these dinosaurs used their tail spikes to fight off attacking meat eaters.

Fossils of dinosaurs also leave behind remnants of other creatures, too. From these fossils, scientists have discovered that reptiles, amphibians, insects, and even some mammals lived alongside dinosaurs.

Although dinosaur fossils are continuously being discovered today, the very first dinosaur fossil discovered dated back to 1676 when an enormous thigh bone was found in England. At the time, the term dinosaur was not used and that bone has since been lost.

In 1824, when William Buckland discovered a set of bones that belonged to an Iguanodon, the idea of dinosaurs became understood. The Iguanodon was a 30 ft long, plant eating dinosaur. When the bones were discovered they were referred to as a "Megalosaurus" because of its size.

We know a lot about dinosaurs today, because of the many fossils discovered. There are still mysteries being unlocked today. What are you curious about when it comes to understanding dinosaurs?

Discussion Questions for Review

• What are the different types of fossils that can be found?

• Where are dinosaur fossils mostly discovered?

• What was the first dinosaur fossil discovered?

• How do fossils help paleontologists learn about dinosaurs?

Multiple Choice

Fossils of dinosaurs have been found in Antarctica.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Paleontologists enjoy studying dinosaurs.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

There are two types of dinosaur fossils that can be found.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

We know a lot about dinosaurs today.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

The first dinosaur fossil was discovered in 1676.

• Fact

• Opinion