Digging for Dinosaurs!

• PRINT
• EMAIL

DIRECTIONS Let’s go back to the Mesozoic era, or the “Age of Reptiles,” to find out more about dinosaurs. Then write your answers on a separate piece of paper, or on the reproducible provided by your teacher.

1

For how long did dinosaurs live on the Earth? When did they become extinct?

6

 

Name three dinosaurs that existed 65 million years ago, at the end of the age of dinosaurs.

2

One way scientists learn about dinosaurs is by finding and studying fossils. What are fossils?

7

 

There are many theories about what caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. What are two possible reasons?

3

When was the most recent dinosaur discovery? What was it named? Describe this newly discovered dinosaur.

8

 

Match each dinosaur with a corresponding fact. (Hint: scroll down and click on each dinosaur.)

1. Pentaceratops
2. Apatosaurus
3. Dryosaurus

A. This huge plant-eater had a tiny head and brain.
B. This 10-foot tall dinosaur could run really fast.
C. This rhinoceros-like dinosaur had five horns.

4

Assemble the dinosaur skeleton at Fossilzone. What kind of dinosaur did you build?

9

Go to the Dinosaur Encyclopedia and pick a dinosaur from the list on the left. Draw a picture of it on the back of your paper and write its name underneath. (Hint: Some dinosaurs on the list include roars and other dinosaur sounds!)

5

Which dinosaur was the largest? What was its size? What did it eat?

An Instructor magazine reproducible. © 2000 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page for students.