MEET the DINOSAURS! WHAT’S in a NAME? a LOT If You Are a Dinosaur!

Home , Kosmoceratops, Ouranosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, Triceratops, Tuojiangosaurus, Yangchuanosaurus

MEET THE DINOSAURS! WHAT’S IN A NAME? A LOT if you are a dinosaur!

I will call you Dyoplosaurus!

Most dinosaurs get their names from the ancient Greek and Latin languages.

And I will call you Mojoceratops!

And sometimes they are named after a defining feature on their body.

Their names are made up of word parts that describe the dinosaur. The name must be sent to a special group of people called the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to be approved!

Did You The word DINOSAUR comes from the Greek word meaning terrible lizard and was first said by Know? Sir Richard Owen in 1841.

Dinosaur Name MEANING of Dinosaur Name Carnotaurus (KAR-no-TORE-us) Means “flesh-eating bull” Spinosaurus (SPY-nuh-SORE-us) Dyoplosaurus (die-o-pluh-SOR-us) Amargasaurus (ah-MAR-guh-SORE-us) Omeisaurus (Oh-MY-ee-SORE-us) Pachycephalosaurus (pak-ee-SEF-uh-low-SORE-us) Tuojiangosaurus (toh-HWANG-uh-SORE-us) Yangchuanosaurus (Yang-chew-ON-uh-SORE-us) Quetzalcoatlus (KWET-zal-coe-AT-lus) Ouranosaurus (ooh-RAN-uh-SORE-us) Parasaurolophus (PAIR-uh-so-ROL-uh-PHUS) Kosmoceratops (KOZ-mo-SARA-tops) Mojoceratops (moe-joe-SEH-rah-tops) Triceratops (try-SER-uh-TOPS)

Tyrannosaurus rex (tuh-RAN-uh-SORE-us)

Find the answers by visiting the Resource Library at Carnotaurus A: www.OmahaZoo.com/Education. Search word: Dinosaurs

All animals in the wild have to protect themselves. Many of our Tuojiangosaurus dinosaurs have SPECIAL FEATURES (also known as adaptations) that help them do this. Match the dinosaur to the kind of protection that best suits them. Some of these prehistoric creatures may even use multiple adaptations!

Armargasaurus

Carnotaurus

Spinosaurus Juvenile

Dyoplosaurus Spines/frills/clubs Omeisaurus Horns Tuojiangosaurus Plates Yangchuanosaurus Juvenile Size Quetzalcoatlus Speed Ouranosaurus Sharp teeth Parasaurolophus Sharp claws Pachycephalosaurus Spikes Kosmoceratops

Mojoceratops Visit Dinosaurs Alive! at Omaha’s Henry Triceratops A: Doorly Zoo & Aquarium to observe the dinosaurs above. Or Visit the Resource Tyrannosaurus Rex Library at www.OmahaZoo.com/Education.

Let’s Analyze Our Results!

? Out of all the ways that the dinosaurs used to protect and defend themselves, which was most noticeable to you? ? Which adaptation was used the least? ? Which adaptation was used the most? ? Which dinosaur used the most adaptations? ©© 2013 2013 Omaha’s Omaha’s Henry Henry Doorly Doorly Zoo Zoo & & Aquarium Aquarium®® | | 5 5 THE CARNIVORE VS THE HERBIVORE

There are many physical characteristics that animals have which allow us to guess what behaviors they may exhibit. For example, when we look at the teeth of an animal, we can predict if they are a carnivore or a herbivore.

A carnivore is an animal which eats meat. A lion is an example of a carnivore. They have very sharp teeth which help them rip meat apart.

A herbivore is an animal which eats plants. A zebra is an example of a herbivore. They have teeth that are flat, which help them grind up plants and leaves.

By making observations, such as those above, paleontologists are able to make educated guesses about how dinosaurs acted millions of years ago.

6 | © 2013 Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium® As you explore Dinosaurs Alive! at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, keep track of the physical characteristics that you see on the dinosaurs and other animals (record observations for at least 3 dinosaurs and 3 zoo animals). After you’ve recorded your observations, become a paleontologist and make an educated guess as to what behaviors these ancient dinosaurs may have had.

CHARACTERISTICS OBSERVED

LEGS BODY NAME OF DINOSAUR TAIL EYES TEETH ARMOR NOISE (long, short, (front or side (sharp, flat, or in WALKED ON COVERING (do they make / ZOO ANIMAL (do they have any) (scales, hair, or or medium) of head) between) (two or four) any noises) feathers)

Example: LION LONG FRONT SHARP FOUR NO HAIR YES

List the dinosaurs Are most herbivores and animals that of these had sharp teeth: animals: carnivores

List the dinosaurs and Are most herbivores animals that had eyes of these on side of their head: animals: carnivores Reflection

List the dinosaurs Do most alone and animals that had of these armor or protection: animals live: groups

What other behavioral connections can you make between dinosaurs and modern animals based on your observations?

© 2013 Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium® | 7 Dig up your own Describe Your Own Dinosaur prehistoric creature at Dinosaurs Alive! or the Fossil Dig Site when you visit Omaha’s You are a Paleontologist and you just Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium! DISCOVERED A NEW DINOSAUR! What are you going to name it?

How tall is your dinosaur?

What color is it?

What special features does it have? (special-shaped head, long or short arms, big teeth or claws)

Where did you discover it?

How did you find it?

What do you think it ate?

WRITE A STORY about your amazing discovery! DRAW A PICTURE of what you think your dinosaur looked like and what type of habitat it lived in.

Scientists use graphs to compare the data they have collected. Be a scientist and COMPARE EACH DINOSAUR’S LENGTH, HEIGHT AND WEIGHT!

25 up to 22,000 lbs 20 15 14,000 lbs WEIGHT 8,818 lbs

WEIGHT 10 (IN THOUSANDS) (IN 5 5,511 lbs 1,984 lbs 0 1,633 lbs LENGTH

50 43 feet 40+ feet 40 25-30 feet 30 24.6 feet HEIGHT 20 13 feet 13 feet 13 feet 15 feet (at hips) 13 feet 10 feet 6 feet 10 (at hips) 4.5 feet LENGTH & HEIGHT & LENGTH 5 0

CARNOTAURUS DYOPLOSAURUS TRICERATOPS KOSMOCERATOPS T-REX AMARGASAURUS

DIRECTIONS: Use the graph to answer the following questions.

Which dinosaur is the shortest?

Which dinosaur is the tallest?

Which dinosaur is the longest?

Which dinosaur is the heaviest?

Which dinosaur do you think is the largest dinosaur?

...or the shape of a The size of a fossil tooth can tell us if can tell us how big the dinosaur was an a dinosaur was... herbivore or carnivore.

Have you ever wondered how fossils are formed, HOW ARE FOSSILS FORMED? or what makes a fossil different from a bone? Fossils can form in many ways, but most paleontologists agree that only a very small percentage of animals that ever lived have been found as fossils, or will ever become A fossil is a bone that fossils. Conditions have to be just right in order for fossils to form! isn’t a bone anymore. After being buried for millions of years, bones absorb surrounding animal is quickly buried bones dissolve & fill with water minerals and become rock-like. This is why fossils look brown and bones look white.

Did You Know?

One way a paleontologist can figure out the age of a fossil is by using radioactive dating. #1 #3 Everything on earth has a An animal must be quickly buried This leaves a cavity which is in small amount of radioactive once it dies. Mud or other material begins the shape of the original bone. material and scientists can to quickly cover the animal. measure this. By comparing Water, which is full how much radioactive material #2 More and more material (mud, sand, of minerals, begins is in the ground and fossils, or other) piles on top of the animal and to fill the cavity. The paleontologists can determine begins to harden. The bones are now minerals are left behind how old fossils are. surrounded by stone and begin to be and a cast is created. The dissolved by groundwater. cast has the same shape as the original bone!

Learn how to make your own fossils at home! Go to the Resource Library at www.OmahaZoo.com/Education A Fossil Sandwich

You will need: Examples of what you could use: • 3 slices of bread (clay can be used if available) • Several small house objects (such as paperclips, twigs, leaves, etc.)

1. Place one piece of bread DIRECTIONS on the counter (this to start represents the dirt/ activity mud) 2. Put 1-3 house objects on top of the bread

3. Place another piece of bread on top of the objects (this VIOLA! represents soil that Millions of years later... moved/shifted into the area) 4. Add 1-3 more house objects on top

5. Place final piece of bread on top of the objects (represents another layer of soil) What was a bone is now a heavy, rock- 6. Apply pressure to the bread, like copy of the original--called a fossil! then take the bread apart

What happened to the bread? Were some objects greater in detail than others? Yes No Why do you think this is? How is this different than a real fossil?

Does anyone really know what dinosaurs looked like? Often, the only thing scientists have to go by are fossils.

Unfortunately, fossils don’t tell us what color dinosaurs were, or what type of body covering they had. Nearly everything we think we know about what dinosaurs looked like is due to an artist’s interpretation. Scientists who study extinct animals (like dinosaurs) often work with artists to recreate what the dinosaur may have looked like in real-life. Look at the steps that an artist might use to create a realistic dinosaur.

Skeleton of Dinosaur Skeleton Of Dinosaur With Body Of Dinosaur Full Artistic Rendering Outline Of Body Of Dino

Now It’s Your Turn! Use what you have learned to recreate what you think this dinosaur looked like.

Skeleton of Dinosaur Skeleton Of Dinosaur With Body Of Dinosaur Full Artistic Rendering Outline Of Body Of Dino

What can fossil footprints tell us about a dinosaur? You may be surprised by the answer. Studying dinosaur footprints has helped paleontologists better understand dinosaur behavior.

How?

For instance, many sets of tracks found together Scientists can also estimate how fast a tells scientists that some dinosaurs traveled in large dinosaur was traveling by measuring groups or herds. the distance between footprints.

DIRECTIONS: Investigate the sets of tracks below and see if you can form an explanation of what happened.

How many types of dinosaurs were here?

What can you tell about the size of each?

What direction(s) were the dinosaurs moving?

What else do these footprints tell you about these dinosaurs?

Large flooded areas, temperate Triassic Period Inland areas of Pangea Jurassic Period and near-tropical forests, and were dry and desert-like. 248-206 Million Years Ago 206-144 Million Years Ago coral reefs.

EARTH EARTH BACK BACK ) t L A THEN: n THEN: A N e U ) tin R A ts P on A W en A N 1 c S D in G E A ( IA & GON nt (2 co 14 | © 2013 Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium® Where In The World? Get to know the time periods...

Cretaceous Period This period began with warm Triassic Period (248-206 Million Years Ago) temperatures and few seasons. 144-65 Million Years Ago It ended with severe climate What areas of the earth today may look similar to the changes, low sea levels, and a lot Triassic Period? of volcanic activity. Visit an area of the Zoo that you think is similar to what the Triassic Period may have looked like. What area did you visit? What types of animals live in this habitat today?

How do you think the dinosaurs of the Triassic would have been different from any other time period?

Jurassic Period (206-144 Million Years Ago)

What areas of the earth today may look similar to the Jurassic Period? Visit an area of the Zoo that you think is similar to what the Triassic Period may have looked like. What area did you visit? What types of animals live in this habitat today?

What makes the dinosaurs from the Jurassic Period unique? How are these dinosaurs similar to dinosaurs in other time periods?

Cretaceous Period (144-65 Million Years Ago)

Where in the Zoo would you go to see habitats similar to the Cretaceous Period? How are the dinosaurs from this time adapted to survive in their environment? What types of animals live in this habitat today?

ALL Periods (248-65 Million Years Ago)

How is each different? How are they similar?

How do your feet measure up to a dinosaur’s feet?

You will need: • Paper • Crayons (or sidewalk chalk) • Ruler

measure and sketch track and trace question and answer

DIRECTIONS: How many of your Using the templates, measure feet will fit inside ONE and sketch each dinosaur track dinosaur track? on paper, or use sidewalk chalk

to draw on a hard surface. 18” 18” 28” your 28” Then, place your foot inside foot the track and trace around it.

Tyrannosaurus rex Do this for both the Tyrannosaurus rex and the Apatosaurus. measure and sketch track and trace question and answer

How many of your feet will fit inside ONE dinosaur track? T-rex 48” 48” 24” 24” your foot Apatosaurus

Apatosaurus

DID YOU KNOW? A Tyrannosaurus rex foot is actually much longer, over 3 feet. But, like other dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus rex walked on its toes.