Hey there! Today, Squeaks and I are on an exciting adventure to learn about creatures from the past. Squeaks has made a pretend time machine, and we’re using it to imagine what it was like to see ancient life!
Even though many ancient creatures aren’t around anymore, they have relatives that we can see today. Did you know that birds are actually related to dinosaurs? It’s true! Dinosaurs may be extinct, but their bird relatives are still flying around.
Let’s talk about another ancient creature: the trilobite. Trilobites lived millions of years ago, even before dinosaurs! We know about them because of fossils, which are like clues left behind by plants and animals from long ago.
We can’t really travel back in time, but we can use our imaginations just like scientists do. Let’s pretend to go back to when trilobites lived. Back then, Earth was warmer, and most life was in the ocean. In fact, much of the land we know today was underwater!
The Earth is always changing, but these changes happen very slowly over a long time. That’s why the oceans and land look different now compared to when trilobites were around.
We learn about trilobites from fossils. By looking at these fossils, we can see how big they were and what they looked like. Some trilobites were as small as a penny, while others were almost as long as two bowling pins!
Trilobites had many body parts called segments, and they had tough shells to protect them. These features help scientists figure out what kind of animals they were and if they are related to any animals we see today.
Trilobites are thought to be related to a group of animals called arthropods. Arthropods have segments and tough shells, just like trilobites. This group includes insects, spiders, roly polys, and crabs. They also have many legs, which we think trilobites had too.
Now, Squeaks and I are going outside to see if we can find any arthropods to compare to our trilobite fossil. Thanks for joining us on this adventure! If you want to keep learning and having fun with us, be sure to subscribe to SciShow Kids. See you next time!
Arthropod Hunt: Go on a mini adventure in your backyard or a nearby park to find arthropods. Look for insects, spiders, or even roly polys. Take a notebook and draw what you find. How many legs do they have? Do they have a hard shell? Compare your findings to what you learned about trilobites. Discuss with a friend or family member how these creatures might be similar or different from trilobites.
Fossil Impressions: Create your own “fossils” using clay or playdough. Press small objects like leaves, shells, or toy dinosaurs into the clay to make an impression. Let it dry and then examine your “fossils.” Imagine you are a scientist from the future. What can you learn about the object from its impression? Share your discoveries with the class or your family.
Time Travel Imagination: Close your eyes and imagine you are traveling back in time with Squeaks to when trilobites lived. What do you see around you? Is it warm or cold? Are there plants or animals? Draw a picture of what you imagine the world looked like back then. Think about how it is different from today and share your drawing with a friend.
