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(Mis)adventures in Paleontology.
- Thread starter Morm
- Start date
cool. Here's some music for you to listen to while you read this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ryNJVreiY (please ignore the video just minimize the window)
I haven't brought up cool discussion in a while and dinosaurs seem popular:
Largest claw ever, right here. That's right, must be a super predator!!!
Holy shit look at those hands!
It's a theropod dinosaur!!! The mighty lineage of meat eaters...but this one, with the largest claws ever, eats plants. Therizinosaurus is the name!
Discuss
Also I just wanted to post this because I know Doomsday, DM and Anti all like girls:
This is my girlfriend. She thinks dinosaurs are relatively neat and much prefers them to invertebrates
I haven't brought up cool discussion in a while and dinosaurs seem popular:
Largest claw ever, right here. That's right, must be a super predator!!!
Holy shit look at those hands!
It's a theropod dinosaur!!! The mighty lineage of meat eaters...but this one, with the largest claws ever, eats plants. Therizinosaurus is the name!
Discuss
Also I just wanted to post this because I know Doomsday, DM and Anti all like girls:
This is my girlfriend. She thinks dinosaurs are relatively neat and much prefers them to invertebrates
Doesn't Therazinosaurus mean "terrible arm" or something? I remember reading about it like eight years ago as a small kid terribly fascinated with dinosaurs; they said that they were sure it was one of the most ferocious predators ever! What was discovered to make it suddenly become an herbivore?
Therizinosaurus means scythe lizard, actually. Terrible arm would be Deinocherius (I can't look up exact spelling at the moment but that's about right). I think it was probably some form of Therizinosaurid since they are the namesake for the family, if I recall.
Bam: The teeth indicate that it is a herbivore. To some extent, the pot belly does as well- animals fermenting a processing lots of vegetation need large guts in order to survive! Look at cows, Stegosaurus or ANY Sauropod (particularily the Saltasaurs like Argentinosaurus), they all have huge guts for just this reason. Processing plant matter is so difficult.
The claws were actually probably for intimidation and scooping leaves to the mouth.
My internet at this hotel is being extra shitty right now, maybe everyone here is trolling smogon right now or something. I'll be sure to write you a story of my extraordinary day today when I'm back from dinner. Turns out, finding a whole dinosaur skeleton on the job CAN be bested after all...
Bam: The teeth indicate that it is a herbivore. To some extent, the pot belly does as well- animals fermenting a processing lots of vegetation need large guts in order to survive! Look at cows, Stegosaurus or ANY Sauropod (particularily the Saltasaurs like Argentinosaurus), they all have huge guts for just this reason. Processing plant matter is so difficult.
The claws were actually probably for intimidation and scooping leaves to the mouth.
My internet at this hotel is being extra shitty right now, maybe everyone here is trolling smogon right now or something. I'll be sure to write you a story of my extraordinary day today when I'm back from dinner. Turns out, finding a whole dinosaur skeleton on the job CAN be bested after all...
Oh, that's right; for some reason I confused Deinocherius with Therazinosaurus, probably because they both have those big arm/claw features (or something like that). Thanks for clearing that up.
I'm learning something new with every post in this thread, I'm really enjoying it. What would you personally recommend for one planning on going into a form of archeology, but who isn't quite sure on which one. I'm not necessarily interested, but at this moment I have no idea of what I'm planning on doing for a career, and it looks really interesting (if I could of course get into the field rather than some tacky office).
edit: I mean paleontology, I just forgot the word at the moment and went with the next closest thing.
I'm learning something new with every post in this thread, I'm really enjoying it. What would you personally recommend for one planning on going into a form of archeology, but who isn't quite sure on which one. I'm not necessarily interested, but at this moment I have no idea of what I'm planning on doing for a career, and it looks really interesting (if I could of course get into the field rather than some tacky office).
edit: I mean paleontology, I just forgot the word at the moment and went with the next closest thing.
Thanks Bam. It's really just my life, to be honest, as I've lived doing this kind of thing my whole life! It's not hard to be interested in things that people are passionate about, as their love rubs off on people.
Here's my recommendations for you:
1. Archaeology is the poor man's paleontology. Paleontology = extinct animals that are awesome, Archaeology = dead culture's garbage. Seriously.
2. Get involved. Alot of states have archy/paleo clubs to join. You can go there and check things out. Try volunteering at your local museum or university, they'll take you cool places and give you references.
3. Go to university. In your first year you can take some intro classes that give you a sample of what things are kinda like. If you end up not liking them, just use them as options for other degrees.
4. Watch ALOT of Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones (since he's based on Roy Chapman Andrews, a paleontologist that had a shotgun) and the 'walking with dinosaurs/monsters/prehistoric beasts' series. Also 'chased by dinosaurs' is awesome. Don't watch friends though, Ross is a tool bag.
5. Make friends with your profs and TA's at university. They take you places you otherwise can't go...like the Burgess Shale!
Edit: Bam, you're the ONLY person other than me that actually italisizes the names of the genus/species like you are supposed to do. Nice work!
Umm that's about it. I gotta enter my hours now, story is coming I promise!
Here's my recommendations for you:
1. Archaeology is the poor man's paleontology. Paleontology = extinct animals that are awesome, Archaeology = dead culture's garbage. Seriously.
2. Get involved. Alot of states have archy/paleo clubs to join. You can go there and check things out. Try volunteering at your local museum or university, they'll take you cool places and give you references.
3. Go to university. In your first year you can take some intro classes that give you a sample of what things are kinda like. If you end up not liking them, just use them as options for other degrees.
4. Watch ALOT of Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones (since he's based on Roy Chapman Andrews, a paleontologist that had a shotgun) and the 'walking with dinosaurs/monsters/prehistoric beasts' series. Also 'chased by dinosaurs' is awesome. Don't watch friends though, Ross is a tool bag.
5. Make friends with your profs and TA's at university. They take you places you otherwise can't go...like the Burgess Shale!
Edit: Bam, you're the ONLY person other than me that actually italisizes the names of the genus/species like you are supposed to do. Nice work!
Umm that's about it. I gotta enter my hours now, story is coming I promise!
Sorry for being a bit of a troll tonight. The connection is total crap and doesn't like letting me edit.
So today I stepped on this old looking junker helicopter. It had an observation bubble on the side, similar to the one on the base of the bellafontaine in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou". Naturally, it was just like the morning commute- so I fell asleep. After a while my boss woke me up and we were stepping out of the helicopter.
We were working in an area (well, just one formation of the three) that had had no fossils recorded from it before. I figured it would be a quick day and I could go drink some beer at the hotel. 11 hours later, I realized I was quite wrong.
The reason why this day took so fucking long, with the UV index soaring in our exposed little area, is that we found fossils. Ammonites and clams, to be exact. Well, the be TOTALLY exact, a new species of ammonite by the truckload and a few new species of clam that were a bit rarer. It was awesome, my boss ID'd and spotted an ammonite (as an ammonite) from like 5 meters away.
I was pretty happy with myself today, for along with finding new species, I identified some hardcore geology. See, there was something called glauconitic sandstone in the area, defining one of the members in a certain formation. I said that the sandstone was glauconitic but it clearly lacked the amazing green lustre so typical of glauconite. I was met with some skepticism on this one, since it was a random deeply weathered clast. I also said that it was where the ammonites were coming from, since we couldn't find any in situ (in place in the rock).
So a little later we came around the corner on a sheer cliff of sand. It was so brutal, one step would make a FLOW of rock and dirt that lasted for at least a minute after you step. Just a runaway effect, really. So, as we came around the corner watching our footing carefully and hearing hunter gunshots echoing through the valley, I looked up to see an AMAZINGLY green sandstone looking right at it.
It was my smoking gun to prove I was right, after making a call based on very little evidence. A little while later, on the way down from the outcrop, we found giant blocks of the glauconitic sandstone RIDDLED with clams and ammonites, proving (well, for the most part) that these fossils were coming out of this layer.
The next week will be spent proving my idea to my boss using the better outcrops on the other side of river.
I'd say that finding two new species in one day from a formation that has never been recorded to yield fossils is certainly better than finding a common dinosaur, wouldn't you?
Edit: I saw a pinnacostal camp that looked very very cult-like. A spinoff sect of pinnacostal can only mean one thing...but I'm not sure of what that means!
So today I stepped on this old looking junker helicopter. It had an observation bubble on the side, similar to the one on the base of the bellafontaine in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou". Naturally, it was just like the morning commute- so I fell asleep. After a while my boss woke me up and we were stepping out of the helicopter.
We were working in an area (well, just one formation of the three) that had had no fossils recorded from it before. I figured it would be a quick day and I could go drink some beer at the hotel. 11 hours later, I realized I was quite wrong.
The reason why this day took so fucking long, with the UV index soaring in our exposed little area, is that we found fossils. Ammonites and clams, to be exact. Well, the be TOTALLY exact, a new species of ammonite by the truckload and a few new species of clam that were a bit rarer. It was awesome, my boss ID'd and spotted an ammonite (as an ammonite) from like 5 meters away.
I was pretty happy with myself today, for along with finding new species, I identified some hardcore geology. See, there was something called glauconitic sandstone in the area, defining one of the members in a certain formation. I said that the sandstone was glauconitic but it clearly lacked the amazing green lustre so typical of glauconite. I was met with some skepticism on this one, since it was a random deeply weathered clast. I also said that it was where the ammonites were coming from, since we couldn't find any in situ (in place in the rock).
So a little later we came around the corner on a sheer cliff of sand. It was so brutal, one step would make a FLOW of rock and dirt that lasted for at least a minute after you step. Just a runaway effect, really. So, as we came around the corner watching our footing carefully and hearing hunter gunshots echoing through the valley, I looked up to see an AMAZINGLY green sandstone looking right at it.
It was my smoking gun to prove I was right, after making a call based on very little evidence. A little while later, on the way down from the outcrop, we found giant blocks of the glauconitic sandstone RIDDLED with clams and ammonites, proving (well, for the most part) that these fossils were coming out of this layer.
The next week will be spent proving my idea to my boss using the better outcrops on the other side of river.
I'd say that finding two new species in one day from a formation that has never been recorded to yield fossils is certainly better than finding a common dinosaur, wouldn't you?
Edit: I saw a pinnacostal camp that looked very very cult-like. A spinoff sect of pinnacostal can only mean one thing...but I'm not sure of what that means!
Ive loved dinosaurs since i could walk (coiencidentally first book i got was on dinosaurs) and im am enthralled about the concept of working with ancient speciemens. Unfortunatly Australia is not exactly the best prehistoric archive.
Just out of curiosty how do rate paleontology because i got 2 1/4 more years of school and im torn between a business degree and something like palenotology when i go to university
Just out of curiosty how do rate paleontology because i got 2 1/4 more years of school and im torn between a business degree and something like palenotology when i go to university
First of all, thanks for writing this up! You clearly don't get a lot of free time, so I think it's great you thought to give us an insight into your life and career!
Along with probably 90% of male kids, I too was engrossed by dinosaurs from a young age, even went of a couple of "field trips" to excavations and dragged parents and friends around countless museums to satisfy my hunger.
I'm just starting University, studying Biology and Chemistry. I'm currently doing a foundation year so I can start my degree soon so I've got a bit of time to decide. Reading this whole thread (yeah I spent an hour and a half doing so :P) has re-ignited that passion I once had and now I'm torn between a boring straight Chemistry degree, or reveiwing my choice to something more related to Geology and Paleontology.
I believe Deinonichus is the species that was referred to as "terrible-arm", similar to the Velociraptor but much larger, deadlier and faster (from fossils and other things I don't know a lot about...yet ;)) Jurassic Park shows the Velociraptors more like Deinonichus (not sure if Velociraptor is a genus in it's own, or a more western name), probably an easier name for the movie goers to get their heads around ;)
Thanks again for the information, discussions and stories Mormoopid!
Along with probably 90% of male kids, I too was engrossed by dinosaurs from a young age, even went of a couple of "field trips" to excavations and dragged parents and friends around countless museums to satisfy my hunger.
I'm just starting University, studying Biology and Chemistry. I'm currently doing a foundation year so I can start my degree soon so I've got a bit of time to decide. Reading this whole thread (yeah I spent an hour and a half doing so :P) has re-ignited that passion I once had and now I'm torn between a boring straight Chemistry degree, or reveiwing my choice to something more related to Geology and Paleontology.
I believe Deinonichus is the species that was referred to as "terrible-arm", similar to the Velociraptor but much larger, deadlier and faster (from fossils and other things I don't know a lot about...yet ;)) Jurassic Park shows the Velociraptors more like Deinonichus (not sure if Velociraptor is a genus in it's own, or a more western name), probably an easier name for the movie goers to get their heads around ;)
Thanks again for the information, discussions and stories Mormoopid!
You're welcome, Dan Dan.
Paleo is fucking awesome for anyone that can get into it. It's competative and almost impossible to get jobs, but for the passionate that doesn't matter. If you want to do a business degree, you're probably in it for the money. Paleo is a job you're likely to start at around 40 thousand and absolute max out at around 60 thousand. Not terribly glamorous but certainly livable.
Australia is awesome for paleo, what are you talking about? Look up Shark bay for the best living fossils out there, Lightning Ridge and Ediacara Hills to start you off if you're curious what's out there. There's also a vast interior to that country that isn't well explored. I've done field work with aussies before, they were awesome.
Dan Dan, pick carefully where you end up but just follow your passion. Paleo keeps pulling me back in no matter where I run so I decided it's where I needed to be.
Deinonychus means 'terrible claw'. Deinocherius is 'terrible arm'. The first one is a large raptor from North America, the second is a set of crazy arms from (I think) Mongolia or somewhere in there. They are actually two completely seperate things, but noticing the similarity in names and meaning is important. Good observation, Dan Dan.
Paleo is fucking awesome for anyone that can get into it. It's competative and almost impossible to get jobs, but for the passionate that doesn't matter. If you want to do a business degree, you're probably in it for the money. Paleo is a job you're likely to start at around 40 thousand and absolute max out at around 60 thousand. Not terribly glamorous but certainly livable.
Australia is awesome for paleo, what are you talking about? Look up Shark bay for the best living fossils out there, Lightning Ridge and Ediacara Hills to start you off if you're curious what's out there. There's also a vast interior to that country that isn't well explored. I've done field work with aussies before, they were awesome.
Dan Dan, pick carefully where you end up but just follow your passion. Paleo keeps pulling me back in no matter where I run so I decided it's where I needed to be.
Deinonychus means 'terrible claw'. Deinocherius is 'terrible arm'. The first one is a large raptor from North America, the second is a set of crazy arms from (I think) Mongolia or somewhere in there. They are actually two completely seperate things, but noticing the similarity in names and meaning is important. Good observation, Dan Dan.
Isn't Deinonychus Terrible Claw? I remember them from a dinosaur book I had when I was a kid, they were basically velociraptors.
DM you are correct, to elaborate (or to reiterate the elaboration already done in a semi-arrogant but harmless way):
Doomsday you are cute too.
Pyro: Do you mean Gastornids from the Paleocene or something more like Phorusrhacids from the Pleistocene?
Gastornids (Gastornis) are European and only like 6 feet tall, but were bulkier and slower. Also ate protohorses like Hyracotherium or whatever name you wanna put on it that's more up-to-date.
Phorusrhachids (Phorusrhacus and Titanis) from Florida, South and Central America and Texas. They are related to modern day Seriemas.
Please don't tell me you meant the faggy-as-hell Moa from Australia cause it doesn't count as it a TOTAL pussy herbivore.
I am not even joking, I have a picture of a phorusrhacid on a shirt I wear to work. Not this picture, mind you.
Edit: Also I've seen a skeletal reconstruction of a terror bird in person, it was pretty sweet. It was one of the shorter ones, probably a Gastornis.
AHHHHH i just walked/hiked/climbed for 8 fucking hours over 15 kilometers through thick as hell forest and up steep sheer cliffs that crumble under my intellect and weight (in that order). Nothing to report but we were probably being followed by a pack of wolves we kept seeing tracks for. We found fresh tracks from at least 3 different bears (different sizes) and heard a moose mating call, a dangerous thing to hear this time of year as mooses (meese?) are dangerous and like to trample things when they are horney.
Doomsday you are cute too.
Pyro: Do you mean Gastornids from the Paleocene or something more like Phorusrhacids from the Pleistocene?
Gastornids (Gastornis) are European and only like 6 feet tall, but were bulkier and slower. Also ate protohorses like Hyracotherium or whatever name you wanna put on it that's more up-to-date.
Phorusrhachids (Phorusrhacus and Titanis) from Florida, South and Central America and Texas. They are related to modern day Seriemas.
Please don't tell me you meant the faggy-as-hell Moa from Australia cause it doesn't count as it a TOTAL pussy herbivore.
I am not even joking, I have a picture of a phorusrhacid on a shirt I wear to work. Not this picture, mind you.
Edit: Also I've seen a skeletal reconstruction of a terror bird in person, it was pretty sweet. It was one of the shorter ones, probably a Gastornis.
AHHHHH i just walked/hiked/climbed for 8 fucking hours over 15 kilometers through thick as hell forest and up steep sheer cliffs that crumble under my intellect and weight (in that order). Nothing to report but we were probably being followed by a pack of wolves we kept seeing tracks for. We found fresh tracks from at least 3 different bears (different sizes) and heard a moose mating call, a dangerous thing to hear this time of year as mooses (meese?) are dangerous and like to trample things when they are horney.
Sweet, and I meant the ones in South America (Argentina to be exact) Phorusrhachids.
Thing is, most sites only have classifications and/or minor information about it.
The only thing I've found that caught my attention was the discovery of a terror bird beak that was around 40-50 cm (that's huge for a bird!).
Do you happen to know any sites where I can get some nice info on them? (Google is mean with me).
Lol @ the Moa, the Maori dudes ate em all! xD
Please post a pic of the shirt!!! (you will be extra smexy in it.)
Thing is, most sites only have classifications and/or minor information about it.
The only thing I've found that caught my attention was the discovery of a terror bird beak that was around 40-50 cm (that's huge for a bird!).
Do you happen to know any sites where I can get some nice info on them? (Google is mean with me).
Lol @ the Moa, the Maori dudes ate em all! xD
Please post a pic of the shirt!!! (you will be extra smexy in it.)