1. CSI: CRETACEOUS SCIENCE INVESTIGATION
CRETACEOUS DENVER
Have you ever wondered how a paleontologist can know so much about animals that lived millions of years ago?
Have you ever wanted to be a paleontologist yourself? NOW’S YOUR CHANCE! Do you see the wound on Ed’s tail? Follow along and see if you can solve the case!
Victim: Edmontosaurus AKA “Ed”
ETC (estimated time of crime): 70 MYA
Weapon:???
Perpetrator:????
STEP 1: The first step of any scientific
investigation is to create a “hypothesis” or
educated guess about what you think is
happening. What kind of wound do you
think it is? What dinosaur do you think
caused it? Was this the wound that killed
Ed?
Does your hypothesis sound something
like this: The wound on Ed’s tail is likely a
bite mark caused by T. Rex? Did you pick
another dinosaur? How would you prove
it? Can you think of reasons it would or
would not
be T.rex?
STEP 2: Next the scientist has to prove
whether or not the hypothesis is true!
Paleontologists don’t say ankylosaur broke
T. Rex’s leg or that T. Rex had feathers just
because it sounds cool! Scientists have to
prove their findings. How would you prove
whether this was a bite or a scratch? How
would you prove which dinosaur did it?
One way might be to compare the wound
to the teeth and claws of your suspects!
Allosaurus Tooth:
Allosaurus Claw
Allosaurus has large claws and was a
carnivore, could he e the culprit?
T Rexx Jaw
T Rex tooth:
T Rex Claw:
T. Rex was the queen of the Cretaceous!
She has big teeth but tiny arms. Could a
hungry T. Rex have done it?
Stegosaurus spike:
Stegosaurus was a strong fighter and had
big spikes, could Ed have angered a
Stegosaurus like the Allosaurus behind
you did?
Ankylosaurus thahomizer:
Ankylosaurs had mean nasty clubs, could
an Ankylosaur bully have attacked Ed?
STEP 3: Once scientists have decided on a
method they must collect data and
analyze it. To the leftis an caste, or exact
copy, of the wound, next to that are the
teeth and claws of two potential
“perpetrators” do you think you know
which one hurt Ed? Test your answers by
seeing what the scientists might say on
the right!
Allosarus: INNOCENT (This time)
Allosaurus lived millions of years before
Ed, so he has an alibi, he probably didn’t
do it.
T. Rex: GUILTY!
T. Rex’s bite mark matches the wound
perfectly! Do you see the notch in Ed’s
shadow? That notch fits a T rex jaw
perfectly.
Steogsaurus: INNOCENT
Steogsaurus was both a plant eater,
herbivore, and from the same time as
Allosaurus.
Ankylosaurus:
That wound is way too high for a short
Ankylosaur, and the wound looks more
like a bite or scratch.
CONCLUSION: CASE CLOSED
Ed was bitten by a T. Rex as proven by the
matching bite marks/ But Ed survived
because there is new bone growth on the
wound indicating he survived at least long
enough for the wound to heal! T. Rex lost
this round!
Want to learn more about paleontology?
Want to feel what a fossil feels like or talk
to someone who likes fossils as much as
you!? Over underneath Ed’s head is the
bone bar where a volunteer will be happy
to answer your questions!