Fossils

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What is a fossil?

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A fossil is the remains or traces of a plant or animal that lived a long time ago, preserved in rock.

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Who studies fossils?

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A paleontologist is a scientist who studies fossils.

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Why do scientists study fossils?

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Scientists study fossils to learn about how long a species existed, how organisms are related, and the environments they lived in.

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What happens to an organism after it dies if it is to become a fossil?

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An organism should be buried quickly after it dies to have a chance of becoming a fossil.

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What is the main reason crocodile fossils are larger than modern crocodiles?

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Crocodiles were once larger than they are today.

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What is NOT a reason scientists study fossils?

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To learn how organisms communicated with each other.

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What type of rock are fossils usually found in?

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Fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock.

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What is an example of a fossil?

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An example of a fossil is a dinosaur bone or a leaf imprint.

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What does extinct mean?

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Extinct means that a species no longer exists.

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What can fossils tell us about the past?

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Fossils can tell us about the types of environments that organisms lived in and how they evolved.