On the Heels of Dinosaurs

Fossil Tracks and What They Reveal

Local fossils expert Glen Kuban of the North Coast Fossil Club will share his extensive first-hand research on dinosaur tracks, as well as an overview of fossils in Ohio.

Dinosaur tracks and other trace fossils provide important insights into the behaviors, locomotion, postures, and environments of ancient creatures that are often difficult to glean from body fossils alone. Glen Kuban’s presentation will include an overview of the dinosaur tracks, including basic types of tracks, where they are found, and how they are studied and documented. Glen will also discuss his 45+ years of first-hand research on dinosaur tracksites, especially in Texas, and various debates and controversies surrounding them. These include claims by some young-Earth advocates that “giant human tracks” occurred alongside tracks in Glen Rose, Texas. Work by Glen and his coworkers spearheaded the resolution of the controversy, and led to new insights into dinosaur locomotion as well as interesting variations in track preservation.

Glen will also discuss exciting new finds during severe droughts in 2022 and 2023, when he and many volunteers uncovered hundreds of new tracks, including some forms previously unknown, as well as evidence of new trackmaker behaviors. The talk will thus illustrate the great scientific value of dinosaur tracks, as well as the challenges and thrill of excavating and studying them. As Glen wrote, “Some trackways are so fresh-looking that it is not hard to imagine the trackmakers having strode by only moments before. Unless the fantasy of cloning dinosaurs becomes a reality, this is probably the closest we can come to standing beside a living, breathing dinosaur.”

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