(LOOTPRESS) – A stunning paleontological discovery at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon has revealed fossilized footprints dating back as far as 50 million years, offering a rare glimpse into the behavior of prehistoric animals.
Using advanced 3D imaging technology, a team of scientists led by fossil track expert Conner Bennett identified four sets of fossilized vertebrate tracks—including the first known bird and lizard tracks ever documented at the site. The findings, recently published in Palaeontologia Electronica, shed new light on how ancient creatures lived, moved, and interacted with their environment.
“This prehistoric behavior from 50 million years ago is still seen in modern shorebirds,” said Bennett. “It’s fascinating to see such continuity in foraging habits across millions of years.”
What the Fossils Reveal:
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Shorebirds & Invertebrates (50–39 million years ago): Small bird tracks found near invertebrate trails and beak marks suggest birds were foraging in shallow waters—much like today’s shorebirds.
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Lizard (Approx. 50 million years ago): A rare set of clawed, splayed toe tracks shows a lizard darting across a lakebed—one of the few known reptile trackways from this time in North America.
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Cat-like Predator (29 million years ago): Pawprints, possibly from a saber-toothed predator like Hoplophoneus, hint at feline-like retractable claws due to the absence of claw marks.
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Tapir or Rhino Ancestor (29 million years ago): Rounded, three-toed hoofprints likely belonged to a large herbivore, such as an ancient tapir or rhinoceros.
“These tracks provide a window into ancient ecosystems,” said Dr. Nicholas Famoso, the monument’s paleontology program manager. “They add context to our fossil collections and help us understand Oregon’s prehistoric climate and habitats.”
The trace fossils, distinct from bones and teeth, capture moments of ancient life in motion. Using photogrammetry, Bennett created high-resolution 3D models from thousands of photographs—some of the fossils had been in storage since the 1980s.
“The tracks don’t just show that these animals were here,” Bennett explained. “They show how they lived.”
The full study, “Following their footsteps: Report of vertebrate fossil tracks from John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon, USA,” is available at:
???? https://doi.org/10.26879/1413
