How can you tell they’ve got it: Fossilised Dinosaur Dung?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Define a coprolite as fossilised dung (animal droppings preserved as rock); Explain that scientists cut coprolites open to find plant seeds, bone fragments, or fish scales inside; State one example of what coprolite contents reveal about a dinosaur's diet. Or just try it together: Does your child know what a coprolite is? Can they explain — with a giggle — how fossilised poo helps scientists figure out what a dinosaur ate?

Science Dinosaurs & Paleontology Ages 7–9

Fossilised Dinosaur Dung

Your child knows a coprolite is fossilised dinosaur dung. Scientists cut it open to see what a dinosaur ate, like seeds or bits of bone.

In curriculum terms

Describe what coprolites are (fossilised dinosaur dung) and how palaeontologists analyse them to discover what dinosaurs ate, including plant fragments, bones, and seeds

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Define a coprolite as fossilised dung (animal droppings preserved as rock)
Explain that scientists cut coprolites open to find plant seeds, bone fragments, or fish scales inside
State one example of what coprolite contents reveal about a dinosaur's diet

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Try this together

Does your child know what a coprolite is? Can they explain — with a giggle — how fossilised poo helps scientists figure out what a dinosaur ate?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Types of Fossilsages 7–9Coprolites are a type of trace fossil — must understand the category first

Plant-Eaters vs Meat-Eatersages 5–7Understanding herbivore/carnivore classification helps interpret coprolite contents

Fossilised Dinosaur Dungthis skill · ages 7–9

Unlocks

How Palaeontologists Workages 9–11Describing palaeontological field and lab work includes coprolite analysis as an example of trace fossil interpretation — students who know what coprolites are and what they reveal will understand the breadth of palaeontological methods

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

Dinosaurs Around the Worldages 7–9 Fossils Reveal Ancient Environmentsages 7–9 How Fossils Formages 7–9 Mary Anning, Fossil Hunterages 7–9

All Dinosaurs & Paleontology skills →