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.

Sharp Teeth: Carnivorous Animal Sharp teeth are helpful in killing another animal or ripping the flesh from an animal Dull Teeth: Herbivorous Animal Dull teeth were shaped like pencils or spoons to allow the animal to grab and snip at plants.

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

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.

Crests Some 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 Heads Some skulls were 10in thick and used to butt heads with other animals.

Tails were used as defense mechanisms to help protect and fight predators and prey. Clubbed Tails Spikey Tails Long muscular 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.

Trace Fossils can provide a lot of information regarding lives of ancient creatures. How many legs they traveled on Who they traveled with (herds) How fast they traveled Sometimes even how tall they were

Coprolites are fossilized dino droppings They tell us what the dinosaur ate They can give us information about the environment that the dinosaur lived in

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. Plants Insects Other animals Pollen Types of rock

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.

Scientists will usually go hunting for fossils in very specific areas. Mountainous regions have high erosion rates that will expose fossils the best. If fossils were already found in an area scientists will search that area for more possible fossils.