Paleontologists in North Carolina discover new species of dinosaur capable of digging

Raleigh, North Carolina Scientists from North Carolina have discovered a 100-million-year-old dinosaur, and they believe the dinosaur lived in a burrow like an armadillo and ate like a deer.

The new dinosaur, Fauna herzogai, lived 99 million years ago in what is now Utah. At the time, the area was a vast floodplain ecosystem sandwiched between the shores of a vast inland ocean to the east and active volcanoes and mountains to the west. It was a warm, wet, muddy environment with many rivers running through it.

Paleontologists from North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences discovered the fossil — and other specimens of the same species — beginning in 2013. Fauna has been described as a seven-foot-long, burrowing, plant-eating dinosaur.

Evidence suggests that the newly discovered species spent at least part of its time in underground burrows.

“It’s very rare.” “Afrahami said.”It has only been recognized as a behavior in one closely related species.

Abrahamic First author of a research paper describing We found out, the scientists said. He was confident that it was a digger for a number of reasons, including the shape of its bones – especially its powerful hind legs.

“Her feet are also oddly large for her body size and could have helped her get dirt out of her house.” Abraham said.

Abrahamic He said there was a lot to learn from the little dinosaur, as animals this small are relatively rare in the fossil record.

“Fona “It’s part of a group of dinosaurs that we know almost nothing about.” “Afrahami said.”“It’s almost like one of the biggest black holes in paleontology.”

The Museum of Natural Sciences told WRAL News it contains the real skeleton, a 3D-printed model of the skull, and a scientific illustration of what it will look like when completed. The fauna The skeleton will be on display at the museum at 11 W. Jones St., where guests can watch paleontologists continue to work on it.

The genus name Fona comes from the ancient creation story of the Chamorro people, indigenous to Guam and the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Fona and Pontan were sibling explorers who discovered the island and became the land and sky. The species name honors Lisa Herzog, director of paleontology operations at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, for her invaluable contributions and dedication to the field of paleontology.

“I wanted to honor the indigenous mythology of Guam, where my ancestors are Chamorro people,” said Avrahami. “In the mythology, Fauna became part of the land when she died, and from her body came new life, which I associate with fossils, beauty, and creation. Fauna was likely covered in a thin layer of colorful feathers. The species name is Lisa Herzog, who was integral to all of this work and discovered one of the most exceptional Fauna specimens of several individuals preserved together in what was likely a burrow.”