Dragons – “The Undiscovered Dinosaurs”
Xiuhcoatl is Very Happy to be resting on her finished Perch. We’ll cover how it was made shortly. First a little about the Dragon’s Lair. There are many stories about Dragons living in Gigantic Caves. But, Did You Know there are Burrowing Dinosaurs?
In 2007 scientists found the first evidence of a burrowing Dinosaur! The bones of an adult & two juveniles named Oryctodromeus (digging runner) cubicularis, a small ornithopod dinosaur. The bones were discovered in the chamber of a filled burrow. Preserved in 95-million-year-old rock in southwestern Montana’s Blackleaf Formation and Wayan Formation of southeastern Idaho (USA). Several features of the adult skeleton are consistent with habitual burrowing. In Australia, Leaellynasaura another burrowing ornithopod was found in 110-million-year-old rocks in Victoria. This area was unusual for being dominated by small ornithopod dinosaurs. In South Korea, Koreanosaurus boseongensis also a burrowing ornithopod was discovered in 85-million-year-old rock.
In 2020 a perfectly preserved burrower was discovered in China dating back 125 million years ago. Changmiania liaoningensis found in the Lujiatun beds located in northeast China in the dinosaur famous Liaoning Province. The perfect preservation suggests the two animals were trapped in their burrow while they rested by a volcanic eruption. Changmiania liaoningensis was approximately 1.2 meters long and believed to be a very fast runner. The Chinese word “Changmian” means “Eternal Sleep”.
Thanks to National Geographic illustration by Mark Hallet and photos from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
These Burrowing Dinosaur finds indicate they cared for their young and were social animals. Discoveries of Burrowing Dinosaurs of the Cretaceous Period show that even after 150 years of prospecting Dinosaur Bearing Rocks are still offering Us Surprises!
For Xiuhcoatl’s Perch a Circular Stepping Stone 24 inches in diameter would be perfect. Thompson Building Materials in Camarillo didn’t have one in stock but ordered one that was ready for pickup just a few days later. I prefer the smooth grey concrete stones for painting. However, there are other colors available. I used Sherwin Williams “Offbeat Green” it’s a nice moss color. After Acid Washing, Rising and Completely Drying a couple of coats of the Green were applied. I may add another shade of green to give the appearance of other vegetation. Since a Nest of Branches will be built up around the stone and Xiuhcoatl placed on top, I need to see how much of it will show through first.
I hauled 3 buckets of Sand from a never-ending source in the Park. A Rake & Level assist me with getting the correct angle of ground. Xiuhcoatl’s base frame is a triangle and her large head makes her more likely to fall forward. Having a slight upward grade to the front prevents an accident. Some compacting, Stone in place and we are ready for Xiuhcoatl. Note: We have high winds in our area at various times of the year. Therefore, I will be adding cabling to 12-inch-long screw-eyes that will be mounted in concrete, that will be illustrated in a future post. Xiuhcoatl loves her Home in the Park!
Stay Tuned for More Summer Fun & Crafts with Dinosaurs!
My First Book “Is a Metal Dinosaur the Right Pet for You?” is Available as an eBook on Kindle through Amazon.com
Only $3.99!
Included are two photos of Prehistoric Pals converted to black & white line drawings for You to express Your Color Imagination! Search online for print options on Your device. Print Screen, Cropping & Printing are available on many smart phones. Your smart phone may even allow You to email Your Print Screen to Yourself allowing even more options before printing. Kindle has an app for smart phones!
I would love to see Your Color Visions for Dominic & Raphael! Use crayons, pencils, pens, or watercolors! Attach feathers, glitter whatever brings them to life for You. Send a picture of Your Colorized Imaginations to: paul@paulsprehistoricpark.com It could be in a future post!
I will keep You posted with information on my Next eBook “The Shy Triceratops”. I hope to have Paperback versions available later in 2021.
Museums continue reopening with Limits on Guests, Social Distancing & Mask requirements to keep Visitors Safe while They Enjoy Their Learning Experience. Consider a Membership with the Museum. In addition to Supporting Their Valuable Work there are Benefits to You. Special Preview Events for Members Only as well as Virtual Access Exclusive for Members. For more information and access to general public eLearning check out the links below.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County www.nhm.org under Research & Collections / Digitized Collections will allow you to browse their Collections. Check out the latest Activities on their site.
The American Natural History Museum www.amnh.org You will find eLearning for Families, Students & Educators. Explore the Museum Virtually. Check Out SciCafe: Video Talks and Meet the Icons: Stories behind the Exhibits! There are Video Series covering Behind the Scenes at the Museum with Space & Dinosaur Explainers.
Chicago’s Field Museum www.fieldmuseum.org You can talk to “Maximo the Titanosaur” online, Yes Really! Visit Sue the largest T-Rex discovered! Check Out “Brain Scoop” with host Emily Graslie and the Learning Resources – many are also in Spanish.
Check Out Your Libraries eBooks. My local Library has over 900 eBooks on Dinosaurs! Libraries are reopening and many still offer “Curbside Pick-up. Here are three books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
Dinosaurs! A Drawing Book by Michael Emberley (1980)
1-2-3 Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals A step by step guide by Freddie Levin (2001)
Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals by Lee J. Ames (1977)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please be Responsible Wear Masks & Social Distance as Appropriate Not Everyone has been Vaccinated. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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