BIRUG107071 - Grallator sp. - Theropod Footprint

3D Model

BIRUG107071 is a trace fossil of a theropod dinosaur. While the animal that made the footprint is unknown, trace fossils (ichnofossils) do receive similar nomenclature to organisms. This ichnofossil is Grallator sp. and only the ichnogenus has been determined, while the ichnospecies name has yet to be defined.

Fossil footprints from dinosaurs, such as this one, better our understandings of dinosaurs and the animals that left these fossils behind. Although this is a single fossil it can tell palaeontologists where most of the force was applied when the track-maker took a step, which can help determine how they walked. If multiple tracks of the same animal are found, the gait, speed, and other behaviors can be determined.

This specimen was collected from Burniston Wyke, North Yorkshire, England. This specimen was digitized with photogrammetry by A Jones, description by Jonathan Kimel.