West Virginia is the 35th state in the United States. It’s nicknamed the Mountain State and is a terrific location for those who like hiking and taking stunning nature strolls. West Virginia has old, sensational mountains, luscious rivers, stunning caverns, and thick forests. But existed any dinosaurs that resided in West Virginia?
Long prior to West Virginia ended up being a state, pre-historic animals called the land home. However, researchers have actually never ever discovered dinosaur fossils in West Virginia. While dinosaurs most likely never ever strolled this state, other ancient, now extinct animals did. Keep checking out to read more!
Dimetrodon
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Proof of dimetrodons have actually been discovered in West Virginia. Contrary to common belief, dimetrodon are not dinosaurs. Instead, they are categorized as non-mammalian synapsids and are a genus with over a lots types. They lived around 295–272 million years earlier throughout the Cisuralian. This special extinct animal had neural spinal column cruises with lengthened spinal columns extending from the vertebrae. Dimetrodon had big teeth of various sizes and a curved skull. Although researchers have actually discovered tracks in West Virginia, many dimetrodon skeletons are from the Red Beds of Texas and Oklahoma. Interestingly, their fossils have actually been taped as far as Germany.
Edaphosaurus
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The Edaphosaurus is a genus of extinct edaphosaurid synapsids. Their name suggests “pavement lizard” and this pre-historic animal had thick clusters of teeth. They most likely resided in North America and Europe in between 303.4 to 272.5 million years earlier. This big animal is among the earliest recognized four-legged land-living vertebrate herbivores. According to fossils, this animal most likely weighed over 600 pounds and determined 1.6 to 11.5 feet long. Archeologists initially discovered them in Texas Red Beds however later on revealed them in West Virginia, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Ohio.
Eryops
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Eryops tracks were found in West Virginia. This pre-historic animal was an amphibious temnospondyl. Only one types exists in the genus, the Eryops megacephalus. Scientists quote that these animals had to do with 4.9–6.6 feet long. They were most likely the biggest land animals in their time, weighing in between 225 and 489 pounds. They resided in the early Permian and the late Carboniferous. Most fossils are skull bones and teeth, although archeologists have actually found complete skeletons in Archer County, Texas, and New Mexico.
Diploceraspis
There is not a lot learnt about the Dipliceraspis. It’s a genus of lepospondyl amphibian. It is really comparable to its relative, the Diplocaulus, however is a lot smaller sized. This amphibian grew simply over 46 cm. Fossils have actually been discovered in North America, consisting of West Virginia, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. It lived throughout the Permian duration.
Greererpeton
Last however not least, the Greererpeton is among the most typical pre-historic specimens in West Virginia. It’s an extinct genus of colosteid stem-tetrapods. Greererpeton are from the Early Carboniferous duration. These pre-historic animals lived about 335 to 331 million years earlier. Experts think this animal was water and had actually an extended body for swimming. Adults might rise to 4.9 feet long. Greererpeton has 40 vertebrae and a flat skull often determining up to 7.1 inches long.
Where to See Fossils in West Virginia
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While you can travel to the WVGES Museum, there are likewise natural locations in West Virginia where you can see, value, and hunt for fossils. A typical and popular fossil hunting area in the state is the Lost River. This is a roadside quarry near Wardensville. It is a 390-million-year-old Devonian reef that was set down at the Kaskaskia Sea. Some of the most typical fossils you can discover in this area consist of trilobite phacops Rana and brachiopod. Treat these vulnerable fossils thoroughly. If you discover a fossil with an orange-colored shale, this suggests it is improperly protected and can break quickly.
Another fantastic location to see fossils in West Virginia is the New River Gorge National Park. However, given that it’s a national forest, you may not have the ability to take the fossils home. Always ask prior to taking a fossil out of the park. This stunning area has numerous fossils from the Devonian Era. You can likewise check out Yellow Springs in Hampshire County, where it’s possible to discover Odontocephalus, Phacops, and Brachiopods. Another popular fossil hunting area is Berkeley Springs, where searchers have actually discovered several fossils in the Pennsylvania Glass Sand Quarry, consisting of corals and plant pieces.
