Image credit:Paul Baker

Drought in Texas reveals ancient dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park

Drought in Texas reveals ancient dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Learn about the new discoveries and how to visit this amazing attraction.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley is a famous attraction for dinosaur enthusiasts, as it preserves some of the best dinosaur tracks in the world. The park, located near Fort Worth in Texas, showcases the footprints of sauropods and theropods that roamed the area during the Cretaceous period, about 110 million years ago. However, this summer, the park has revealed even more secrets, as the severe drought and heat have exposed new tracks that were previously hidden under water and sediment.

The Taylor site: a record-breaking trackway

One of the sites where the new tracks were found is called the Taylor site, which is believed to contain the longest trackway made by a single dinosaur in North America. The tracks are from an Acrocanthosaurus, a large carnivorous dinosaur that weighed up to 7 tons and had a distinctive ridge along its back. The trackway measures about 500 feet long and shows the dinosaur’s stride, speed and direction .

The Taylor site is one of the most breathtaking parts of the park this summer, according to Jeff Davis, the park superintendent. He told ABC News that visitors have been amazed by the sight of the ancient footprints, which are about 2 feet wide and 3 feet long. Glen Kuban, a paleontologist who has been studying and mapping the Paluxy dinosaur tracks for over 40 years, told CNN that finding new tracks is like a treasure hunt.

The Denio site: a glimpse of a giant

The other site where the new tracks were found is called the Denio site, where tracks from a Sauroposeidon, also known as Paluxysaurus, are visible. This was a massive herbivorous dinosaur that weighed around 44 tons and had a long neck and tail. The tracks are about 3 feet wide and 4 feet long, and show the dinosaur’s four-toed feet .

The Sauroposeidon is one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, and its fossils were first found in Oklahoma in 1994. However, it was not until 2009 that it was officially named and described as a new species. The name Sauroposeidon means “lizard earthquake god”, and it is related to other famous sauropods such as Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus .

A threat to preservation

The discovery of the new tracks has been a source of excitement and wonder for both park staff and visitors, who have been able to see and touch the ancient footprints. However, the drought also poses a threat to the preservation of the tracks, as the exposed limestone can crack and erode under the intense heat and sunlight. Kuban explained that the drought does not magically unveil tracks in pristine condition, but rather exposes them to natural weathering and erosion. Davis said that some rain is expected soon, which will likely cover the tracks again with water and sediment. He added that this process helps protect the tracks from further damage.

A place to explore and learn

The Dinosaur Valley State Park is one of the best places in the world to see dinosaur tracks in their natural setting. The park offers various activities for visitors, such as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, swimming and kayaking. Visitors can also take guided horseback riding or horse-drawn wagon tours through the park. The park also has an interpretive center that provides information about the history and geology of the area, as well as exhibits of dinosaur replicas and fossils.

The park is a National Natural Landmark because of its outstanding display of dinosaur tracks. It is also a popular destination for paleontologists and geologists who study the tracks and other features of the Glen Rose Formation, which was deposited during the early Cretaceous Period along the shorelines of an ancient sea. The formation contains evidence of various marine and terrestrial life forms, as well as sedimentary structures and trace fossils.

The best time to visit the park is in spring or fall, when the weather is cooler and safer than in summer. Visitors are advised to check the park’s website or social media pages for current trail status and dinosaur track visibility before arriving. Visitors are also encouraged to respect and appreciate the park’s natural and historical resources.