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The process of dinosaur fossilization is rare and requires specific conditions. After death, the dinosaur carcass must be quickly buried in mud or ash to prevent scavengers from scattering the remains. Over time, the bones must sink deep into the earth and become infused with minerals, turning into stone. The geological layer containing the fossils must then remain undisturbed to prevent disintegration.
The likelihood of finding an intact dinosaur fossil is influenced by its size and the prevalence of the species during its lifetime. Larger dinosaurs, like Brontosaurus and Brachiosaurus, are less likely to be found intact due to scavenging and geological disruptions. In contrast, smaller dinosaurs like Psittacosaurus are more likely to fossilize intact because their carcasses could be transported by rivers and buried in sediment.
Dinosaur footprints, teeth, eggs, and skin provide valuable insights into their existence. Fossilized teeth are relatively common, particularly from large carnivores that shed teeth regularly. Eggs are less informative about the species, as they are rarely found with the parent dinosaur. Footprints sometimes offer the only evidence of certain species. Fossilized skin is exceptionally rare due to its vulnerability to scavengers and geological forces.
Excavating dinosaur fossils is a labor-intensive and expensive process, costing approximately half a million dollars to extract, clean, stabilize, and mount a Stegosaurus-sized skeleton. The high cost and limited market value previously discouraged the excavation of entire dinosaurs. Send us a text in our website https://www.buzzsprout.com/2428312
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