Friday, July 23, 2010

Fossilized Mammal Burrows

There is not a lot evidence of dinosaurs preying on mammals. Fossilized mammal burrows that appear to have been clawed out by a predator mean that some theropod dinosaurs dug into mammal dens to get furry morsels. This discovery was found in southern Utah. Because there were no large mammal predators about 80 million years ago, this makes the dinosaurs very probable to be that mammal. Claw marks in the burrows are a pretty good match to the claws of dinosaur fossils found in rocks nearby, though somewhat later in time. Paleontologist Edward Simpson of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania says that he can’t figure whether it is troodont or a velociraptor because the claw bones of those found close by have lost their nails. No actual mammal bones or teeth have been found, but the burrows match the complication of those of other mouse, or shrew-like mammals of that time and their present-day counterparts. Simpson thought of taking the burrow and cutting them up, but it would bring much destructive and they would have a really low chance of finding the mammal bones or teeth.

This article relates to science concepts because it has to do with Earth science. Dinosaurs were believed to have existed millions of years ago back in the Mesozoic Era (about 250-65 million years ago). Most dinosaurs leave fossils behind. Fossils are remains of living organisms. They show evidence that dominated Earth at that time. Afterwards, they would become extinct. This information would let us view the Mesozoic Era of the geologic timeline.

This article is put into the news because it shows how dinosaurs lived back then. It also shows their structures and how they get food by eating other mammals. This discovery showed how the dinosaurs actually hunted rather than what they ate. "This is an excellent example of how trace fossils can reveal animal behavior," said Martin.

http://news.discovery.com/dinosaurs/dinosaurs-claws-mammals.html

1 comment:

  1. Son, I know this counts as summer work and you probably don't want to do this but please make it more appealing to the reader's eyes. The 2nd paragraph almost always starts with "This article relates to science..." or something along that sort. Not only that, you're first couple of sentences are taken straight from the article.

    Other than that, this article is mildly interesting. I say they should look around the same area for more burrows and then cut up a few of them in an attemp to find those teeth.

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