It is possible to attach fragments of fossils found in Canada from 2021 on to a rare complete. dinosaurComplete skeleton with fossilized skin
Teri Kaskie was a volunteer field scout who noticed a peculiar protrusion on a hillside at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta. Brian Pickles, University of Reading paleoecologist, recognized it as a hadrosaur.
Pickles stated, “This discovery is very exciting and we hope that the excavation will be completed over the next two field season.” “. This is a juvenile, judging by the size of the foot and tail.
Duck-billed hadrosaursAre herbivorous dinosaursThese were very common in the late Cretaceous. They flourished between 75 and 65 millions years ago. The length of this one is only 4 m (13 ft), while adults can reach 10 meter.
Only its right hind foot and tail are visible at the moment, giving researchers a glimpse of its intact fossilized skin. These pieces are displayed together in a way that suggests that the dinosaur’s entire body is preserved within its ancient encasing.
“Hadrosaur bones are fairly common in this region of the globe, but what makes this find exceptional is the fact large areas are covered in fossilized flesh.” explainsCaleb Brown, paleontologist from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology.
This suggests that the rock may have even more preserved skin, which could give us additional insight into the Hadrosaur’s appearance.”
Its skin is so well preserved that it would have been difficult to cover up its remains after its death 76 million years ago.
Pickles: “This animal likely died, and then was immediately covered by sand in the river.” Submitted USA Today. “Or it was crushed by a river bank.”
“If we’re lucky enough, other internal organs might still have survived.”
The process of carving out the block of limestone containing the fossil will require months of labor. It also requires the protection of the pieces that have been removed from the stone.
The stone will then be taken to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. There, researchers will carefully expose any remaining fossilized remains. This could take many years. With any luck, they will be able to find an intact skull which can help them identify the species of hadrosaur.
“Although adult ducks-billed dinosaursWhile older animals are better represented in fossil records, they are much less common.” “ Pickles. “This discovery could allow paleontologists understand the evolution and growth of hadrosaurs.”
