10.24.14. scientists compare fossils they have just found to fossils they have already. if they can...
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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?
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