SCIENCE NEWS
October 21, 2009
An Itsy-Bitsy Dino
Scientists identify the fossil remains of the smallest dinosaur in North America
On Tuesday, scientists announced that they have identified the fossil remains of the smallest dinosaur species ever to roam North America. The bones of four of the tiny creatures were discovered 30 years ago in western Colorado. They were stored at the Dinosaur Institute of the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, California, and only recently classified by researchers.
Small and Speedy |  REED SAXON—AP Dr. Luis Chiappe holds a model of the smallest dinosaur species ever discovered in North America. |
The pint-sized reptile lived about 150 million years ago and likely fed on plants and bugs, says Dr. Luis Chiappe, the leading paleontologist behind the identification. The dino stood about four inches tall and weighed less than two pounds. It measured just over two feet long from the top of its head to the tip of its tail.
Researchers also believe that the little guy was fast and probably darted between the legs of its larger neighbors. Think: "roadrunner on steroids," Chiappe said.
He Brings Dinosaurs Back to LifeDinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years. But new discoveries about them are being made every day. News of the small dino find is proof of this. Chiappe, who is from Argentina, has made many of these discoveries. He is constantly traveling the world in search of the next great find. Over the last 20 years, Chiappe has conducted fieldwork in Argentina, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and many other far-off places.
Today, the globetrotting paleontologist is hard at work creating two new dinosaur galleries that will debut in Los Angeles in 2011. They will be part of one of the biggest permanent dinosaur exhibits in the country and will display many fossils and state-of-the-art surprises. Want to know more about this legendary dinosaur hunter and his plans for the future? TFK Kid Reporter Claire Epting had the opportunity to speak to Chiappe recently at the Los Angeles museum where he works. He was excited to share his plans.
TFK:When did you first become interested in dinosaurs?
Chiappe:When I first went to university. I was not one of these kids that loved dinosaurs. I liked them, but I was interested in marine biology. But I met a friend there, a classmate who loved paleontology, and we started collecting fossils. I was hooked.
TFK:What is it about dinosaurs that fascinate both kids and adults?
Chiappe:Great question. I think it's the fact that dinosaurs are unique. We don't have any modern animals that look like a dinosaur. Extinct creatures like mammoths and saber tooth cats are interesting, but they are still just animals. Dinosaurs simply awaken something in all of us.
TFK:What's the biggest discovery you ever made?
 COURTESY EPTING FAMILY TFK Kid Reporter Claire Epting interviews Chiappe at the Dinosaur Institute of the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, California. | |
A fossil site in Patagonia (South America) that has provided a lot of information about the development and the reproductive behavior of sauropods. Those are the dinosaurs with long necks.
TFK:What are your plans at the museum?
Chiappe:For the next two years, I'm working on two new dinosaur galleries that will be special for the city. They will be very big dinosaur galleries, state of the art exhibits. I think they will be very unique--very much unlike other dinosaur museum galleries around the world.
TFK:What will the new exhibits be like?
Chiappe:They're going to be about the process--explaining how we paleontologists know what we know. What did the dinosaurs really look like? How did they reproduce? How did they live? How did they become extinct? Are there any dinosaurs alive? Things like that. They will also highlight the technology that we use to understand the lives of dinosaurs. So it won't just be old bones. It will feature X-rays, computer-animated models, lots of interesting, interactive things to really teach you about dinosaurs through technology, along with many bones and specimens.
TFK:What's the toughest thing about your job?
Chiappe:I love my job, so I never come to work thinking, "I wish I could do something else." I'd say the hardest part is not having enough time to do what I love. I want a balanced life--I have a wife and a son, and I want to invest time in my family. I like to cook and do other things at home. And I want to have those things. But I also wish I could have more time to do what I love at work--studying and looking for dinosaur fossils.
TFK:What's the best thing about your job?
Chiappe:Undoubtedly being out in the field discovering things. It's an incredible part of my job. Also talking to people like you is very rewarding--getting to see the excitement that you and other people have when you talk about dinosaurs.
TFK:Do you have any advice for kids interested in dinosaurs and paleontology?
Chiappe:You have to work hard. It is not a game. Paleontology is a lot of work that requires lots of studying and sacrifice. It's a very competitive field, so if you're up for the challenge, you have to work hard--but it can be very rewarding.
