Types of Fossils
What are body fossils?
Remains of an organism, like bones or shells
Name a common fossil found in Texas that is also a state symbol.
Petrified palmwood
What type of past environment is indicated by marine shell fossils?
Marine environments, like oceans or seas
What is the study of fossils called?
Paleontology
How are fossils generally formed?
From remains buried in sediment that hardens over time
What are trace fossils?
Evidence of an organism's activities, such as footprints or burrows
What type of dinosaur tracks are found in the Glen Rose Formation?
Theropod dinosaur tracks
What does a large number of plant fossils suggest about an area?
It was likely covered by dense forests or swamps
True or False: All fossils are bones.
False, they can also be traces like footprints or plant impressions
What is petrification?
The process where organic material is replaced with minerals
What type of fossil is an imprint of a leaf?
A compression fossil
What is an example of a fossil that indicates a desert past in Texas?
Fossilized cacti or desert plants
What environment is suggested by fossils of woolly mammoths?
Cold, possibly icy environments with grasslands
How can fossils help us understand climate changes?
They show what types of organisms lived in different climates
Why are fossils found in sedimentary rock?
It layers over time, preserving remains that get trapped
Difference between body and trace fossils?
Body fossils are actual parts, trace fossils are activity signs
Which marine creature’s fossils are common near Houston?
Ammonites
What does the presence of coral fossils indicate?
Tropical, shallow marine environments like reefs
What material often preserves insects and small creatures perfectly?
Amber
What happens to an organism’s remains to start the fossilization process?
They must be quickly buried by sediment
Why might a scientist prefer studying trace fossils?
Trace fossils can show behavior and daily activities of ancient life
Identify a fossil from Texas that lived during the Cretaceous period.
Tyrannosaurus rex or any Cretaceous dinosaur
How might fossilized shark teeth inform us about past sea levels?
High sea levels, indicating sharks lived in those waters
What is a misconception about fossilization?
That it happens quickly; it actually takes thousands to millions of years
What role does water play in fossil formation?
Helps in laying down sediment that can bury remains