Ever wondered what life was like millions of years ago? Let’s travel back in time to explore the world of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. The vast world of the past holds countless mysteries and wonders that have fascinated humans for centuries. 

 

TYPES OF DINOSAURS:

Tyrannosaurus Rex: 

The T. Rex is one of the most well-known dinosaurs of all time. As many of you already know, it was a fierce predator with a massive head and powerful jaws. Did you know that its bite force was one of the strongest of any terrestrial animal? T. Rex could crush bones with its teeth. It is also the giant dinosaur seen in the Museum of Natural History in New York City! If you ever come for a trip, check out the giant fossil. 

 

Triceratops: 

The Triceratops is easily recognizable by its three-horned face and large bony frill. This herbivorous (plant-eating) dinosaur used its horns and frill for defense against predators. Its large frill was also used for appearance, to attract their mate. 

 

Stegosaurus: 

The Stegosaurus is famous for the distinctive plates along its back and the spiked tail, known as the thagomizer. This plant-eater used its tail spikes to defend itself from predators. The purpose of its back plates is still debated; they might have been used for temperature regulation or as a display to ward off predators. 

 

Velociraptor:

Although much smaller than how it's usually portrayed, the Velociraptor was a very swift and cunning predator. They usually hunted in packs and had feathers which made them more bird-like than other creatures. These adaptations made the Velociraptor a highly effective hunter. 

 

Brachiosaurus:

The Brachiosaurus was a giant among dinosaurs, with a very long neck that allowed it to reach high vegetation that other dinosaurs couldn’t. This large yet gentle giant spent most of its time munching on leaves from tall trees, much like modern-day giraffes. 

 

OTHER PREHISTORIC ANIMALS:

Mammoths: 

Dinosaurs weren’t the only incredible creatures of the prehistoric world. Mammoths, the furry ancestor of modern elephants, lived during the Ice Age. (Definitely go watch the movie “Ice Age” to get a deeper look into their lives.) These giants had long, curved tusks and thick fur to keep them warm in cold climates. Wooly mammoths were hunted by early humans for their meat, fur, and bones. Fun fact, because of the recent ability to replicate DNA, scientists have been trying to bring the mammoth back to life which would be crazy!    

 

Saber-toothed Cats:

Saber-toothed cats were also very fierce predators known for their large, curved canine teeth. They used their powerful jaws and teeth to catch and kill prey. These prehistoric cats lived in North and South America and went extinct around 10,000 years ago. Amazing right?

 

PREHISTORIC HABITATS:

Mesozoic Era:

I think understanding the habitats these ancient creatures lived in helps us to learn more about their daily lives. The Mesozoic Era is a perfect example. It is known as the Age of Dinosaurs and is divided into three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic (this is how the famous sequel “Jurrasic World” came to be,) and Cretaceous. During this time, dinosaurs roamed all continents, even Antarctica! Each period had different climates and environments that shaped the evolution of these amazing creatures. 

 

Dinosaur Footprints: 

Dinosaur footprints, or trackways, are an important type of fossil. These tracks can show us how dinosaurs moved, how fast they walked or ran, and whether they traveled in groups. Imagine finding a trail of footprints left by a herd of dinosaurs millions of years ago! 

 

STUDYING DINOSAURS:

Paleontologist:

Paleontologists carefully sort fossils from the ground using tools as small as toothbrushes to avoid damaging them. They then study these fossils to learn about ancient animals and planets. Some fossils are so delicate that they need to be studied using microscopes or advanced imaging techniques. 

 

FUN EXPERIMENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

Dinosaur Fossil Dig: 

After reading these interesting facts about prehistoric life, you probably want to try it out for yourself. Let’s start with digging for your own dinosaur fossils! Create a mock fossil dig using plaster and small dinosaur toys. Bury the toys in a plaster mixture, let it harden, and then carefully excavate them using brushes. 

 

Egg Carton Dinosaurs:

Another experiment to try is the Egg Carton Dinosaur. Cut and paint the egg cartons to resemble different dinosaurs. This helps you understand dinosaur anatomy by building your own models. Below is an example.

 

Dino Footprint Casts:

I think this experiment is the most fun one because using clay you can make your own footprints. Press the toy feet into the clay or playdough to create footprints. Then, paint them to look like real dino tracks. This helps you understand how scientists use footprints to learn about dinosaur behavior. 

 

We invite you to try the experiments, share your thoughts, and follow our blog for more exciting S.T.E.A.M. topics. Dive into learning, and who knows what amazing things you will discover with us next!

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