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Questions and Answers
What type of fossil is formed when resin from trees preserves a plant or animal trapped inside?
Where are most fossils commonly found?
What is the scientific term for fossilized poop?
Where have many crocodile coprolites been found?
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In which type of regions have many fossil findings occurred due to little organic matter on the ground?
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Study Notes
Fossil Types
- A footprint in the mud that hardens can become a fossil, specifically a trace fossil, which is evidence of animal activity that is preserved.
- Body fossils are the remains of plants or animals that were trapped under dirt and preserved over a long period of time.
Characteristics of Fossils
- Fossils must be over 10,000 years old to be considered as such.
- The word "fossil" comes from the Latin word fossilis, meaning "dug up."
Where Fossils are Found
- Most fossils are found in sedimentary rock, which is formed by compressed dirt, sand, silt, or clay.
- Sedimentary rocks like limestone and sandstone commonly have fossils.
- Fossils can also be found in amber, which is formed when resin from trees is preserved with a plant or animal trapped inside.
Formation of Fossils
- Plants and animals get stuck in layers of sediment for thousands of years, creating fossils.
- Minerals harden around the shape of the plant or animal, and the actual remains are washed away, leaving molds of the organisms.
Locations of Fossil Findings
- Fossils are often found in high desert regions, such as in the western United States, Argentina, and China, due to the lack of organic matter covering the ground.
Other Types of Fossils
- Fossil poop, also known as coprolite, is a type of fossil that provides information on the animal it came from.
- Coprolites have been found from various animals, including dinosaurs, crocodiles, fish, insects, and humans.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the different types of fossils, including trace fossils and body fossils. Learn how footprints and remains of plants or animals can be preserved in rock formations over time.
