Trace fossils are the footprints, tracks, burrows, borings, and poo left behind by animals
- FOSSILISED POO
Coprolites
Coprolites are the fossilised poo of animals that lived millions of years ago.
It is difficult to find out exactly what animal did the poo because the fossils of the animal’s body are not usually found in the same places as the fossil poo.
They are very colourful and I have noticed that almost everyone smells them!
- YOU CAN SEE WHAT SOMEON’E SKIN LOOKED LIKE
Skin imprints
Skin imprints were made when an animal’s skin was pressed into mud or sand that then hardened and turned to stone. They are rare because the soft tissues of dead animals decay quickly.
Skin imprints give scientists an idea of what the outsides of an animal looked like rather than just having their bones and teeth.
- SIGNS LEFT BY FISH
Markings made in mud by fish
These trails show where tail fins dragged through the mud as the fish swam near the bottom of the river or swamp.
- THE POOR PAREIASAUR
Gnawed bone
Something gnawed off the end of this pareiasaur’s forearm. It is a very interesting trace fossil because you can see traces of tooth marks.
- LITTLE INSECTS
Borings in fossilised wood
Some wood-boring creature left these borings in this piece of fossilised wood.
- JUST LIKE TERMITES IN LIMPOPO
Insect damage in my Araucaria fossil
There appears to be lots of insect damage on one side of my Araucaria fossil. The rest of the fossil still has the bark attached but on this side the bark has been eaten away.
