| We humans seem to have a rather curious obsession | | | | what kind of gait the animal walked with, and whether |
| with things that happened in the past. At least humans | | | | it could run or only move slowly along. If there are |
| of the age of 18 seem to. One of the best ways to | | | | multiple sets of footprints, then it would suggest, that |
| get a glimpse of the way things used to be is through | | | | this particular specie of dinosaur travelled in groups as |
| the analysis of fossils. This is where palaeontologists | | | | opposed to going solo. |
| come in. With their expertise, and the help a few well | | | | Examining the dinosaurs teeth and jaw structure not |
| preserved fossils, it's truly amazing the things they can | | | | only helps to describe the shape and size of their |
| find out about our ancient neighbours. | | | | head, but also says a lot about what kind of food the |
| When palaeontologists first discover a set of fossils or | | | | animal was capable of eating. Fossilized droppings can |
| even old bones, they take plenty of photographs and | | | | help here, and if they get really lucky, palaeontologists |
| notes. Using the position of the remains can tell a | | | | also will sometimes find an undigested last meal still in |
| whole lot about how the collection of bones for | | | | the dinosaurs stomach. Yum! |
| example will fit together. Bones can tell some | | | | Now while digging through dirt, muck and mud may be |
| interesting things that most of us probably never | | | | appealing to some. There is another way to discover |
| realized. Markings on a bone can tell where muscles | | | | more about our ancient neighbours. One is through |
| were attached, and can really help palaeontologists | | | | living fossils. That's right living fossils. There are some |
| flesh out the rest of a dinosaur. On the more obvious | | | | animals still alive today, that look much like they did |
| side, bones tell a lot about the shape and weight of the | | | | millions of years ago. Take for example alligators and |
| animal they belonged to. | | | | crocodiles. These friendly fellows are much easier to |
| Finding fossil footprint of a dinosaur can also reveal a | | | | find than fossils, and are also much easier to observe |
| wealth of information. By looking at the spacing of the | | | | in their native environments. They just need to be |
| footprints, a palaeontologists can understand whether | | | | handled a little more cautiously then their ancient |
| a dinosaur walked on two or four feet. It can also tell | | | | preserved brethren. |