Prehistoric Shared Toilet Found in Argentina
- 10 years ago
Scientists working in Argentina have uncovered a massive collection of dinosaur feces fossils in a concentrated area.
Scientists working in Argentina have uncovered a massive collection of dinosaur feces fossils in a concentrated area.
Fossils of dino feces found at the site are around 240 million years old, and are the first indication that ancient reptile species shared toilet space.
There were thousands of fossilized feces samples called coprolites, from an extinct mega herbivore known as Dinodontosaurus, which was similar to modern day rhinos.
Experts think that there are some advantages to animals defecating in a designated area including using the pile as a way to intimidate and warn predators about the size of the herd, and as a way to cut down on the spread of parasites.
Martin Hechenleitner, one of the author’s who worked on the study is quoted as saying: “When cracked open they reveal fragments of extinct plants, fungi, and gut parasites. Each poo is a snapshot of an ancient ecosystem - the vegetation and the food chain.”
A large variety of coprolites were found within the 900 square meter site that reportedly had a density of 94 fossils in each square meter.
What do you think about the discovery of this prehistoric shared toilet?
Scientists working in Argentina have uncovered a massive collection of dinosaur feces fossils in a concentrated area.
Fossils of dino feces found at the site are around 240 million years old, and are the first indication that ancient reptile species shared toilet space.
There were thousands of fossilized feces samples called coprolites, from an extinct mega herbivore known as Dinodontosaurus, which was similar to modern day rhinos.
Experts think that there are some advantages to animals defecating in a designated area including using the pile as a way to intimidate and warn predators about the size of the herd, and as a way to cut down on the spread of parasites.
Martin Hechenleitner, one of the author’s who worked on the study is quoted as saying: “When cracked open they reveal fragments of extinct plants, fungi, and gut parasites. Each poo is a snapshot of an ancient ecosystem - the vegetation and the food chain.”
A large variety of coprolites were found within the 900 square meter site that reportedly had a density of 94 fossils in each square meter.
What do you think about the discovery of this prehistoric shared toilet?