Las Vegas - Bureau of Land Management (BLM) paleontologists have confirmed fossilized tracks (footprints) made 180 to 190 million years ago in sandstone within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. This is the first documented dinosaur tracksite in Nevada.
Dubbed the Red Rock Tracksite, dozens of tracks from the Early Jurassic period have currently been documented.
At this point, two types of tracks and trackways are recognized from the site:
- Grallator tracks are footprints made by small theropod dinosaurs (two-legged, three-toed, meat-eating dinosaurs)
- Octopodichnus tracks are footprints made by arthropods (possibly similar to modern spiders and scorpions)
Because of the fragile nature of fossils such as these, the specific location of the Red Rock Tracksite is not being released at this time.
BLM will partner with researchers to collect more data and further research the tracksite as well as create a monitoring plan and management plan.
An interpretive display about the Red Rock Tracksite will soon be available at the visitor center and more information will also be posted on the BLM website.
Please help protect paleontological sites. It is illegal to dig, remove, or collect vertebrate fossils without a permit. Never take molds or castings, or apply anything to fossils including trackways. Never drive over, walk on or sit on fossils.
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