1. Trace fossils are preserved evidence of an animal's activity, such as footprints, burrows, or trails, rather than the remains of the animal itself.
2. The soil was moist because only soft, damp sediment can capture and hold the detailed impressions of footprints before they harden.
3. The prints became trace fossils when the moist sediment dried and hardened, then were buried by layers of sediment over time, which eventually turned to rock, preserving the impressions.
4. The dinosaur came from the upper left, moving toward the lower right; the mammal came from the lower left, moving toward the upper right, based on the orientation and spacing of the footprints.
5. Yes, both animals changed speed. The dinosaur’s prints show a sudden increase in stride length before the encounter, suggesting it sped up, while the mammal’s prints become much closer together near the center, indicating it slowed down or stopped.
6. The prints leading away from the meeting point are the dinosaur’s, continuing toward the lower right, and the mammal’s, turning sharply and heading back toward the lower left.
7. R: As a time-traveling hiker, I witnessed a tense moment where a small mammal froze upon encountering a large dinosaur. A: My classmates would be amazed to see how close these two creatures came. F: This fossilized scene suggests the mammal narrowly escaped being preyed upon. T: I believe the mammal startled the dinosaur, causing it to pause momentarily before continuing on its path, while the mammal fled in terror.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of traces of tracks worksheet answers.
