Imagine the following picture: A group of horned dinosaurs trek through a Late Cretaceous floodplain, forming tightly towards the puddle.
Next to them, along the armored ferritin plods along the protection, perhaps for protection, perhaps just a part of the group. But they are not alone. Two huge Tyrannosaurus Rex cut open on the plains, their path intersecting the herd. Are they tracking the next meal, or is it just a close contact? We may never be sure, but now we have our footprints.
Discover scenes from the deep era
Discovery begins with intuition. In 2024 live courses in Alberta Dinosaur Provincial Parkpaleontologist Phil Bell noticed a strange rock in the deserted wasteland. “The dirt at the edge of the rock showed up, and was squeezed out between your toes, and I was immediately interested,” he recalled.
That squeezed mud proved to be Skyline Track and Fielda fossilized earth can retain snapshots from 76 million years ago. What Bell and his colleagues found was extraordinary: 13 clear footprints from the Ceratopsid dinosaurs, a set of dinosaurs that might belong to the curved dragon, and orbits from two Tyrannosaurs, and a smaller Terlopod. All are stored in only 29 square meters of sediment.
Not only the cattle
Ceratopsid tracks run parallel, evenly spaced and headed in the same direction, indicating a coordinated group moving together. This alone is enough. However, the high-tailed dragon print adds a new dimension to different herbivorous species that may be for safety and may travel together.
“This discovery provides us with a rare snapshot of social interactions in dinosaurs,” said Dr. Brian Pickles of the University of Reading, co-led by the study. “It’s exciting to walk in their footsteps as they put down their 76 million-year-old dinosaurs.”
- The first potential evidence of animal husbandry behavior in mixed species among dinosaurs in the region
- Ceratopsid tracks show regular spacing, consistent with group motion
- Two Tyrannosaurus Rex crossed the herd’s path, probably predators
Overlord turn
The most troublesome part? Two large Tyrannosaurus rex prints cross the herbivores side by side. Whether it’s coincidence or ambush settings, the alignment is astonishing.
“The overlord’s trail made them really stare at the herd,” Bell said. “It’s a very scary idea.”
Although there is no evidence of direct encounter, configuration opens up new questions about overlord behavior. Are they hunting in pairs? Are they opportunists behind herbivores? Tracks like this offer rare behavioral insights that fossils alone cannot provide.
Modern Similarities in Prehistoric Printing
Today, in Arrican Savannah, Africa, Wildebeest and zebras often form mixed groups to detect predators more effectively. These ancient dinosaurs may have done something similar. Group travel, or even intergroups, may also be a defense against predators such as Tyrannosaurus Rex.
“This is the first time we have seen physical evidence of this behavior in dinosaurs,” Pickles said.
Change the way we look for dinosaur repertoire
Perhaps equally important is how to find the track. So far, dinosaur provincial parks are known for their bones rather than footprints, mainly because the tracks here often form fragile tin shells that disintegrate when exposed. But the orbital points of the skyline reveal a new clue: the subtle edges of displaced sediments, outlining the footprints that were pushed into soft ground millions of years ago.
“This can really change the epidemiological game in the area,” said Dr. Caleb Brown of the Royal Tyrrell Museum. “Dinosaur Park has long been a treasure trove of bones, but we’re not starting to see its orbital potential until now.”
What these tracks tell us
Apart from awe, these tracks serve as windows to dinosaur life, a life that is rarely revealed. They believe that Ceratopsid may live in close groups, that Ankylosaurs may not be solitary, that Tyrannosaurus may have coordinated (or at least tolerated) the presence of others in the hunt.
Footprints are short-lived impressions literally and historically. But they are enough to rebuild dinosaurs not only bones in museums, but also live breathing animals to deal with dangers, seek water, and possibly rely on each other to survive.
Posted in PLOS one July 23, 2025.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0324913
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