Many iconic dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops, have been unearthed by paleontologists in the western United States. However, only a small number of species have been found east of the Great Plains. In 2017, Rebecca Hunt Foster described an unusual fossil from a 113 million-year-old wreckage on its right foot.
To explain fossils, a detailed report is needed on how extinct animals lived. When a new species is discovered, an official name is given. Hunt Foster says, “At that time, [this dino] was the only dinosaur fossil known from Arkansas.” The name given was Arcansaurus Friday, now the official Arkansas dinosaur.
Arcansaurus belonged to a group of dinosaurs called Ornithomimids. These agile creatures would have resembled ostriches of today, with long arms instead of wings. They had long necks and beaks for foraging for lizards, insects, and eggs. These dinosaurs had long legs for quick getaways from predators, and some researchers believe Arcansaurus could have reached a length of 4.6 meters (15 feet).
Hunt Foster is now the lead paleontologist at Dinosaur National Monument in Jensen, Utah. In an interview, she shares her experiences and advice with Science News. (This interview has been edited for content and readability).
What sparked your career interest?
Since I was young, I have loved animals and nature. I was inspired by a book by Jack Horner when I was 12 and it fascinated me. I found the idea of digging up prehistoric animals and studying their preservation in nature intriguing.
What career paths are available to someone interested in paleontology?
Aside from working as a professor or museum curator, there are various career paths in paleontology. One can work in ancient mitigation, as a fossil preparer or artist in a museum, as a federal employee in national parks, or even teach high school.
Source: www.snexplores.org
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