Start Here

Explore Resources to Select your Primary Animal

Important Checklist: 

• Be sure you can find or create an image of the animal.
• Be sure to select a non-avian dinosaur for your starring animal.
• Be sure to explore the geologic era to be certain you can select a co-star and supporting invertebrate animal from this same era!

What should you type into the search fields? 

Strategy 1: Start with the keyword "dinosaur" or a specific dinosaur.

• Type in the keyword dinosaur and explore articles on dinosaurs found around the world.
• Type in the name of a dinosaur (be sure to select a non-avian dinosaur as your star) 
• Skim through results to check the geological time period and determine if you can find your co-star and secondary animals from the same period.

Strategy 2: Start with the geologic time period

• Type in a geological time period that meets your assignment. 
• Skim through the articles to find all three animals from the same time period.

Strategy 3: Start with a keyword AND a geological time period (Note: this may work best in the library One Search)

• Type in the keyword "dinosaur" AND a time period.
• Change dinosaurs to "vertebrates" or "invertebrates" to find articles on different animals from that period.
• Skim through results to check the geologic time period and determine if you can find your co-star and secondary animals from the same period.

Strategy 4: Use the web links below to learn of animals you might research.

Online Library Reference Sources for Getting Started:

From the Handbook Ancient Creatures:

From Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia: Extinction

Library One Search to Explore in Books, Articles & More

Good Web Sources for Getting Started 

(you also need to use library resources for this project):

British National History Museum

1. Start with the DINOSAUR DIRECTORY to select your starring dinosaur. You can limit by geologic era. 
2. Use the links to articles on specific eras to help you identify your costarring vertebrate and supporting animal, the invertebrate.
3. The linked articles on oceans are also useful for identifying fossils from different geologic eras.
4. Be sure to scroll down the page for informative articles from current research!

Websites on Dinosaurs and Other Vertebrates (good for co-stars)

Be sure to choose animals that are approved for your research!

Check with your instructor for the most current list.