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Trace fossils are useful for paleontologists because they tell about the activity of ancient organisms. For example, the study of dinosaur footprints has contributed significantly to our understanding of dinosaur behavior. In fact, paleontologists have learned much more about dinosaur behavior from footprint trace fossils than from dinosaur body fossils. From many sets of dinosaur footprints or tracks, scientists have learned that some types of dinosaurs traveled in large groups or herds. Sets of tracks have also shown that some herds protected their young by keeping them in the centers of migrating groups. Other tracks show that dinosaurs did not drag their tails when they walked. Paleontologists can also estimate dinosaur gait and speed from some footprint track ways. If the footprints are close together, this might show they were running. If the footprints are spaced farther apart, the dinosaurs may have been walking. These are just a few of the insights that can be gained from studying trace fossils.
In this investigation, students examine an image of multiple fossil footprint tracks. They try to construct an explanation for the events that created the pattern of tracks. Even though students come up with different explanations for the tracks, they see that tracks provide valuable information for dinosaur behavior.
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