DINOSAURS and Fossils

How do we know there were dinosaurs? Scientists study fossils to learn about Earth’s past. A fossil is what is left of a living thing from the past. Scientists get clues about habitats of the past from the plant and animal fossils they find.

What do fossils tell us? Some fossils do not match the habitat they were found in. Then scientists can tell that the habitat has changed. This fish fossil was found in a desert. This tells scientist that the desert in that area was once a lake or river.

HERBIVORES Dinosaurs that only ate plants were called herbivores. Scientists can look at fossils of dinosaur teeth to tell which dinosaurs were herbivores. Herbivores have teeth that are not very sharp. They also are usually very straight.

CARNIVORES Dinosaurs that only ate meat were called carnivores. Carnivores have teeth that are usually very pointed and sharp. They have spaces between their teeth to help them tear and capture their food. Carnivores can also have curved teeth.

Who studies fossils? The scientist who study fossils are called paleontologists. Because paleontologists are interested in finding out about all life on earth, they study all kinds of fossils, not just dinosaur bones. There are many different types of paleontologists. Some study fossil plants, some study fossil fish, some study fossil mammals, and some study dinosaurs.

Think and Discuss What can fossils tell us about habitats long ago? What is a paleontologist?

Watch and Discuss Fossils (start at 1:20. Stop at 2:50.) Total time is 10:33 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQeyieeRlZU