AA-The Cat That Wasn't A Cat

What was the initial mistaken identity of the fossilized bones discovered in 1796?

• A giant cat

• A giant sloth

• A dinosaur

• A large bird

What did the scientist name the fossilized bones he thought belonged to a huge cat?

• Megalonyx

• Felis catus

• Panthera leo

• Smilodon

What characteristic of the fossil led the second scientist to conclude it was not a cat?

• The animal often walked on its hind legs

• The presence of big claws

• The size of the bones

• The location where it was found

What species did the fossilized bones actually belong to, according to the second scientist?

• A giant sloth

• A saber-toothed cat

• A dinosaur

• A large bird

How long ago did the species identified by the second scientist go extinct?

• More than 10,000 years ago

• About 1,000 years ago

• Around 5,000 years ago

• Less than 500 years ago

What is the scientific name given to the giant sloth identified from the fossil?

• Megalonyx jeffersonii

• Panthera leo

• Felis catus

• Smilodon fatalis

What lesson does the story of the mistaken fossil identity emphasize in science?

• The importance of careful and precise observations

• The need for quick conclusions

• The value of naming species after famous people

• The significance of finding fossils in remote areas