This week we presented at the E.P. Foster Library in Ventura. Delores del Rio Dilophosaurus assisted our talk on Movie Dinosaurs vs. those that lived 65 Million Years Ago and earlier. The Movies like to make Dinosaurs Bigger, Scarier & Cooler by adding features the ones that ruled the Earth millions of Years Ago just didn’t have. I think Dinosaurs are Big, Scary & Cool enough. I applaud the Motion Picture Industry for bringing the Dinosaurs back to life on every size screen for our enjoyment. These movies have fascinated All and encouraged many a young Paleontologist Career Choice. Like Human Movie Stars, Hollywood Dinosaurs like to shop! And where does a Hollywood Dinosaur go? Well, “Pamela’s Pavilion for the Pampered Prehistoric” of course! With all those flashing camera lights, Delores found Sunglasses – Purple with Rhinestones for the Red Carpet and Pink with White Polka Dots for around the Lake. Sunglasses also help to disguise Delores from the hordes of Fans.
Essien the Spinosaurus introduced our discussion of the most recent information on his Family. The Exhibit Posters led us through the various stages of discovery of what Spinosaurus really looked like to the present. From standing upright with tail dragging to walking on all fours back to bipedal ending with our current knowledge. Spinosaurs was quadrupedal on land but used the back of its front claws like a guerrilla. It wasn’t very quick on land, although fast enough and was an excellent swimmer. Water was is were Spinosaurus spent most of its time. It had webbed feet and a long narrow skull similar to todays Crocodiles. Spinosaurs diet was mainly fish. However, a small dinosaur like Elaphrosaurus too close to the river’s edge or a Pterosaur diving for fish could make a nice meal too.
To visualize a 49 foot long Spinosaurus, two volunteers helped me unroll a measuring tape to that length. An eye opener for All! We talked about Spinosaurus Teeth and Jaws vs. T-Rex. Spinosaurus was best at catching fish with its long narrow jaw and teeth up to 7 inches long including the root. While T-Rex with its 12 inch long teeth and jaw that could exert over 3,000 psi of bone crushing force, would have whatever it wanted. FYI: a car crushing machine exerts 2,500 psi. For a special treat I shared a real Spinosaurus Tooth Fossil for All to have a closeup look! Note: in the picture of the Fossil below the background illustrations are older versions of what we though Spinosaurus looked like. Next Our “How to Draw a Dinosaur” Activity! We drew a Raptor, Spinosaurus & Sauropod! The Kids & Parents did a Great Job and had a lot of Fun with this Activity! The Kids were Happy to Share Their Drawings. The Parents – Not So Much.
Raptor Eggs from the Park were provided to All the Guests & Library Staff. Raptors Jerry & Jeffrey helped me gather them. They look and taste just like avocados! Secret, they really are avocados! But it’s Fun to “Imagine” isn’t it? Thanks to Everyone for another Great Event! Hope to See You All Again Soon!
The “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” is a statewide program for the Libraries in California to encourage readers of All ages. Rewards may differ between Libraries & Age Groups. However, the Goal is the same create Reading Targets and have Fun reaching them. The Program is from June 18th through August 13th , so you still have time to participate! Check with Your Local Library for their Summer Programs.
PaulsPrehistoricPark.com Reading List Recommendations
Non-Fiction
“Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte (2 sizes same content different covers Largest with Spinosaurus smaller with T-Rex)
“The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs – a New History of a Lost World” by Steve Brusatte
“The Age of Dinosaurs – the Rise and Fall of the World’s Most Remarkable Animals” by Steve Brusatte (a young adults version of the previous book)
“The Paleoart of Julius Csotonyi Dinosaurs, Sabre-Tooths and Beyond” by Julius Csotonyi & Steve White
“Dinosaur – a Photicular Book” created by Dan Kainen written by Kathy Wollard
“Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs” by Robert Sabuda & Matthew Reinhart
“The Tiny Titanosaurs – Luis Chiappe’s Dinosaur Nests” by Natalie Lunis
“Titanosaur” by Dr. Luis Chiappe & Dr. Diego Pol
“Dinosaur Mountain Digging into the Jurassic Age” by Deborah Kogan Ray
“Baby Mammoth Mummy Frozen in Time” by Christopher Sloan
“Pterosaurs” by Mark P. Witton (Remember Pterosaurs are Flying Reptiles not Dinosaurs, but Cousins)
“The Search for Antarctic Dinosaurs” by Sally M. Walker
“The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins” by Barbara Kerley
“Wow! Look What Dinosaurs Could Do!” Kingfisher Books by Jacqueline McCann
“Discovering Dinosaurs” by Bob Walters
“Prehistoric Predators” by Brian Switek
“The Big Book of Dinosaurs” DK
“Draw 50 Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Animals” by Lee J. Ames
“Draw it Dinosaurs” by Patricia Walsh
“I Can Draw Dinosaurs” by Terry Longhurst
Fiction
“Elephant Secret” by Eric Walters (a children’s novel that aduIts will love too! Probably not fiction for much longer!)
“Dinosaurios al atardecer” by Mary Pope Osborne (a wonderful Dinosaur Adventure in Spanish)
“Dinotopia” by James Gurney (a series of books and children’s novels)
“The Dinosaurs Night before Christmas” by Anne Muecke
There are many, many more great books on dinosaurs check with Your Librarian for where to look!
Stay Tuned for More Makeovers & Dinosaur Fun Facts!
Check out Your nearest Natural History Museum. Remember Social Distancing & Masks to keep You & Others Safe while Everyone Enjoys 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! 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. And even vaccinated many Young & Old have compromised immune systems. Protect Yourself, Friends, Family & Everyone You Pass!
Thank You!
I used watercolors to make Dinosaur Designs on my N95 Masks (New Ones above). I couldn’t get a yes or no from 3M regarding any impact this might have to the effectiveness of the mask. Many Museums sell Dinosaur Themed Masks Check them Out!
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
Your feedback is appreciated, comment below or email:
Thank you!