Scientists uncover fossils of animals that roamed Oregon up to 50 million years ago

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A recent study has shown the behaviors of ancient species that once roamed the area that is now known as Oregon.

In February, scientific journal Palaeontologia Electronica published “Following their footsteps: Report of vertebrate fossil tracks from John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon, USA.” The National Park Service is now highlighting the report’s findings, which include fossil tracks from some of the animals detected in the central and eastern portions of the state.

The federal agency reported that “fossil track specialist” Conner Bennett led other scientists in utilizing 3D imaging techniques to examine fossils of birds, mammals, lizards and invertebrates.

“This prehistoric behavior from 50 million years ago is still prevalent today in modern shorebirds,” Bennett said in the release. “It’s fascinating. That is an incredibly long time for a species to exhibit the same foraging patterns as its ancestors.”

According to NPS, fossil tracks of two small shorebirds showed that the pre-historic animals searched for food in shallow water — similar to the modern-day species. Scientists found that pawprints from a “cat-like predator” resembled those of modern felines as well.

Additionally, researchers uncovered a fossil of “clawed, splayed toes” that could point to “one of the few known reptile trackways from this time period in North America.” They also found hoofprints that could have likely come from a large herbivore like a tapir or rhinoceros.

NPS noted that a portion of the fossil tracks examined in the report had been in the national monument’s storage since the ‘80s. Although some of the identified animals have gone extinct, Bennett said the newly uncovered records help confirm that they once existed — and how they lived.