Tag: pterosaurs

Classroom Ideas, Creature Feature, Current Event Connection, Main

Scientists Scratch the Surface of Pterosaur Diets

SCIENCE Microscopic scratches on fossil teeth are forcing paleontologists to rethink diets of pterosaurs. (Nature) Use our fun activity to build your own pterosaur. (Yes, our lovely Dimorphodon illustration is out-of-date. Use the one below.) Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New fossil research sheds light on the diets of pterosaurs. What are pterosaurs? Read … Continue reading Scientists Scratch the Surface of Pterosaur Diets

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Meet the Real ‘Big Bird’

SCIENCE Today’s biggest flier, the royal albatross, wouldn’t have looked so big compared to Pelagornis sandersi, a giant flying seabird that lived some 25 million years ago and belonged to a family of now-extinct “toothed” birds. (Nat Geo Kids) Read about other “flying monsters” here. Teachers, scroll all the way down for a short list of key resources in our “Teachers’ Toolkit.” Discussion Ideas The … Continue reading Meet the Real ‘Big Bird’

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Current Event Connection, Geography In the News

Pterosaur Named After 9-Year-Old Fossil Hunter

SCIENCE Pterosaur Named After 9-Year-Old Fossil Hunter Paleontologists have named a crow-sized pterosaur after Daisy Morris, the then-5-year-old who discovered it. Vectidraco daisymorrisae lived in the Lower Creataceous period, between 145 million and 65 million years ago. Discussion Ideas: Vectidraco daisymorrisae is not a dinosaur! V. daisymorrisae and other flying reptiles are called pterosaurs. Read our “media spotlight” on the fossil of another type of … Continue reading Pterosaur Named After 9-Year-Old Fossil Hunter

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