When people think of fossils they often think of dinosaur bones. But fossils are more than bones, and they don’t all come from dinosaurs or even animals. Plants can fossilize, too. Two main types of fossils are body fossils and trace fossils. Bones, shells, seeds, teeth and leaves are all examples of body fossils. They were actual parts of the plant or animal that died. Nests, footprints, dung and bite marks are all examples of trace fossils. They are things the plant or animal left behind. Trace fossils were not part of the organism’s body. Instead, they are clues that the organism was present.
Which of these is a trace fossil?
A. an oyster shell
B. an ancient fern leaf
C. an ancient bird nest
D. a dinosaur’s jaw bone