
Scientists from China found amazing footprints in Huaiji county, Zhaoqing city, Guangdong province. The footprints are from two kinds of ancient animals — small mammal-like animals and dinosaurs. For the first time ever, they discovered these kinds of footprints together in Cretaceous strata (白垩纪地层) at this site.
One kind of footprint is tiny, just 1.8 centimeters long! The track belongs to a small mammal-like animal, maybe the size of a mouse. Professor Xing Lida, who led the study, said the tiny tracks show the animal had four short toes. He thinks it walked near a lake or river. The other footprints are much bigger dinosaur tracks. These footprints belong to theropod dinosaurs. They show three toes with clear claw (爪) marks. Scientists also found two larger footprints (each 45 cm long). The animals that made these larger footprints walked on all fours.
This discovery helps us understand what animals lived together long ago. “It teaches us about life millions of years ago,” said Professor Xing. “Finding more tracks will help us learn even more.”
原创编写 版权所有 侵权必究! 每日更新 个性化阅读 英语飙升!
4. 4. Why is this discovery important?
A It proves dinosaurs wore shoes.
B It shows mice lived with humans.
C It made Professor Xing famous.
D It helps learn about ancient life.