It was Great Fun Zooming with the Camarillo Library Youth Services Supervisor Irma Morales, the Kids & their Parents. After Introductions, We Dug Right Into Dinosaur Fun Facts. Three of the Prehistoric Pals joined the presentation – Jeffrey, a Velociraptor; Xiuhcoatl, a Dragon (the Undiscovered Dinosaur) & Dominic, a T-Rex. Marc, a baby triceratops and Antonio, the Pterodactyl made brief appearances. The other 32 Prehistoric Pals were involved in various Adventures of their own.
Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte is a Great Book it comes in large and Giant sizes. It has wonderful illustrations to share, a couple actual size! We talked about a few fossils beside myself, as well.
First Carcharodontosaurus, say that really fast five times – “Shark Toothed Lizard” of which I have a Fossil tooth. This Dinosaur lived during the Early to Mid Cretaceous Period 145 – 99 MYA in the Northern part of the African Continent (Egypt, Morocco, Niger & Tunisia). Before T-Rex. At 40 – 46 feet long and 7 – 9 feet high at the hip and weighing in at 13,200 to 16,500 lbs.!
Next the Famous T-Rex, lived during the Late Cretaceous Period 99 – 65 MYA. T-Rex may not be the largest Carnivore (40 -43 feet) to walk the Earth. But T-Rex had the strongest bite of any Carnivore. T-Rexes bite force was 3,000 PSI. A car crushing machine has the force of 2,000 PSI. “Dinosaurs” has a Full Size Tooth illustration! In the study of “Sue” one of the most complete T-Rexes discovered (so far) they found blood vessels, individual blood cells and proteins which were previously thought to degrade during fossilization. This opens the door to finding DNA, but to date scientists believe in the event of such a discovery the DNA would be too fragmented to make a Jurassic World. But who knows what the future might hold? While T-Rex roamed what is now North America. It’s cousin Tarbosaurus terrorized Asia.
Followed by Spinosaurus, which I had a Fossil to share. There is a debate over size vs. T-Rex. Spinosaurus was longer (up to 60 feet in length) but T-Rex was much heavier and Taller at the Hip (14 feet vs Spinosaurus 8 – 10 feet). Hip height is the standard for measuring Dinosaurs. Spinosaurus head was long like a crocodile and designed for catching fish & sharks vs. T-Rexes bone crushing strength. Spinosaurus remains have been found in the Northern part of the African continent. It lived in the Early to Middle Cretaceous Period before T-Rex. In addition to not living at the same time, Spinosaurus was on another continent! Spinosaurus hunted near the water and could swim.
We couldn’t leave out Raptors, I counted 18 different species of Dromaeosauridae the family Velociraptor, Deinonychus (die-NON-e-kus) & Utahraptor belong. Velociraptors are actually the size of Jeffrey. The Jurassic Park & World Movies Raptors were actually based on Deinonychus but the author of the book and the Movie People liked the name Velociraptor better. What can I say Hollywood! I shared my Fossils of a Raptor & Mosasaurus (not a Dinosaur a Marine Reptile).
This brings us to “Feathers”. Yes, some Dinosaurs had feathers. The non-avian (non flying) theropod Dinosaurs had a type of feather – often referred to as proto feathers or Dinosaur Fuzz. I demonstrated the difference with a collection of Feathers with a little of that Dino Fuzz on the lower part. Some living Dinosaurs left these feathers in the Park. This Fuzz kept the Dinosaurs Warm. As a result, depending on the climate where they lived and their size as they grew up, the amount of the Dinosaur Fuzz could vary greatly. In addition, the avian (flying) Dinosaurs like Archaeopteryx & Microraptor had feathers like the birds of today. Steve’s Jumbo book has life size pictures of both. The smaller version an 85% actual size for Microraptor.
We touched on Ceratopsians, carefully watch out for all those horns! Since the discovery of Triceratops, over 80 species of Ceratopsians have been described – 55 of those since 2002. From simple to spellbinding there’s a frill for everyone. The Paleoart of Julius Csotonyi Dinosaurs, Sabre-Tooths and Beyond” by Julius Csotonyi & Steve White has a wonderful illustration of 42 of those frilled heads pages 102 & 103.
Did You know that Sauropods like Apatosaurus, Brontosaurus, Brachiosaurus & Diplodocus never saw a T-Rex? Neither did Stegosaurus. Because they lived 161 – 145 Million Years Ago. T-Rex lived almost 100 Million Years Later. Allosaurus & Ceratosaurus would have been the threat to the Sauropods (in North America) and Stegosaurus. There were sauropods that lived at the time of T-Rex but roamed in Asia & South America.
I shared some books that I have saved from Childhood. – Prehistoric Animals (1962), In the Days of the Dinosaurs (1964), Dinosaurs and more Dinosaurs (1965). I still have the booklet Sinclair handed out promoting their Dinosaur Exhibit program for the New York Worlds Fair 1964-65 – The Exciting World of Dinosaurs – Sinclair Dinoland. As well as, the Postcard August 19, 1965 from my Aunt MaryAnn of Tyrannosaurus Rex in the old pose that she sent me from the World’s Fair.
We talked about “The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs – The Story of the First Prehistoric Sculptures” by Steve McCarthy & Mick Gilbert a very hard to find book. I was fortunate to find one on Amazon. These Sculptures were built in 1853 by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and are still in Great Britain today! The Dinner Party in a Dinosaur featured in “The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins” by Barbara Kerley a true story of the building of life size dinosaur sculptures in Great Britain that are admired today and why they didn’t survive in New York City’s Central Park. Barbara’s book is a children’s version of the story, available at the Camarillo Library.
The Pop-Up book “Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs” by Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart. I love this book! The artwork is wonderful and the information is great. I feel like a Detective with this book searching for clues behind every pop-up panel. Due to the delicate pop-up pages it’s not available to check out at Camarillo. See the librarian to find out how you can view the entire book. You may want to purchase one for your book collection.
Next, the kids enjoyed the reading of “If I had a Triceratops” by George O’Connor. While the book style may seem best for the youngest of readers. I think the idea of having a Dinosaur as Member of Your Family is Universal among All Dinosaur Enthusiasts.
We wrapped up with a “How to Draw Dinosaurs” Activity. Using simple circles, we began creating a T-Rex. The kids did a great job. Thanks Abel, Mila & Friend, Molly, PB, Sophia and of course the Parents too! Congratulations to All of You! I had provided some artwork for the kids to color and add what they thought should be in a Prehistoric World. Mila and her friend both with unique ideas added carrying presents to a Carnotaurus and sword fighting for the T-Rex and Pentaceratops! If you look close Mila’s T-Rex is carrying presents too. With Dinosaurs the giving never stops! Keep practicing your drawing everyone!
I provided a list of books that I really like for ages 1 to 92 to check out at the Library. It was Great Fun Thanks to Irma Morales at the Camarillo Library for arranging the Event and All the Kids & Parents that participated! Looking forward to in-person visits, but until then we’ll have Fun on Zoom.
Stay Tuned for More Dinosaur Fun & Malcom the Mailosaur’s Finish!
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 have reopened 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” 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 open and many still offer “Curbside Pick-up. Here are four books for Drawing Dinosaurs that you might find at your Library. Ask your Librarian about others.
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)
Draw it Dinosaurs by Patricia Walsh (2006)
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst (2003)
Stay Safe & Well.
Please Remember to 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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