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DR. REXINGTON’S PARENT FIELD NOTESFossil Falls
SCIENCE
GUIDE

Dinosaur Teeth & Diets Explorer Guide

Learn together · approximately ages 4–8

Help a young palaeontologist compare fossil clues while remembering that a tooth is evidence—not the whole answer.

Six facts to share

1

Teeth are useful clues

The shape, edge and wear of a fossil tooth can suggest how food was bitten, sliced, crushed or ground.

2

Sharp teeth may cut

Many meat-eating theropods had curved teeth with serrated edges that helped slice flesh.

3

Flat teeth may grind

Many plant-eating dinosaurs had broad or closely packed teeth that helped crop and grind tough plant material.

4

Beaks did some work

Some herbivorous dinosaurs used a toothless beak at the front of the mouth and teeth farther back to process food.

5

Scientists compare clues

Jaws, tooth wear, preserved stomach contents, coprolites and the animal’s environment can all contribute evidence about diet.

6

Uncertainty is part of science

One tooth may not identify an exact meal. Scientists test several clues and update ideas when new evidence appears.

Explorer word bank

Herbivore
An animal that eats plants.
Carnivore
An animal that eats other animals.
Omnivore
An animal that eats both plants and animals.
Serration
A tiny saw-like edge on a tooth.
Coprolite
Fossilised animal droppings that may contain food clues.
TRY IT TOGETHER

Match tools to food jobs

Use safe kitchen tools such as a spoon, blunt butter knife, grater and nutcracker. Keep food out of the activity and let a grown-up handle every tool.

  1. Place the tools on a table and name the action each one performs.
  2. Sketch four imaginary teeth shaped for slicing, crushing, clipping and grinding.
  3. Match each tooth drawing to a tool and explain your evidence.
  4. Add one more clue a scientist would need before deciding what an animal ate.

Ask your explorer

  • What might a serrated edge help an animal do?
  • Why can tooth wear be useful evidence?
  • Which clue besides teeth could reveal a meal?
  • Can you find Fossil Falls on Dr. Rexington’s map?

Grown-up safety note

Do not handle real fossils or sharp tools without permission. Never place specimens in your mouth, and leave fossils where they are unless collecting is clearly permitted.