Paleontology Word Search
Paleontology, as a word search. 12 words drawn from the terms and ideas of a school subject sit hidden in a 15×15 letter grid, running in every direction. Drag across a word to claim it, and clear the board to finish.
Words to find: FOSSIL, DINOSAUR, EXTINCT, EVOLUTION, PREDATOR, HERBIVORE, CARNIVORE, PALEONTOLOGIST, SPECIMEN, MESOZOIC, JURASSIC, CRETACEOUS.
Every word on the list appears exactly once. Words can run forwards or backwards, so scan both directions before you move on.
Paleontology word list, defined
- FOSSIL /ˈfɒs.əl/ (UK), /ˈfɑː.səl/ (US) · noun
- The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in rock, or, informally, an old-fashioned or outdated person, idea, or practice. Related: relic, remnant, remains, trace.
- DINOSAUR /ˈdaɪnəsɔːr/ · noun
- A dinosaur is any of a group of extinct reptiles that dominated terrestrial life during the Mesozoic Era (roughly 230 to 66 million years ago), characterized by an upright stance with limbs positioned beneath the body. Figuratively, it denotes a person or thing that is hopelessly outdated or unable to adapt to change. Related: prehistoric reptile, fossil, relic, has-been.
- EXTINCT /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/ · adjective
- No longer in existence; having died out, especially referring to a species of animal or plant that has no living members. Also used of a volcano that is no longer active, a fire that has gone out, or a custom, title, or family line that has ended. Related: dead, vanished, lost, obsolete.
- EVOLUTION /ˌiːvəˈluːʃən/ (US: /ˌɛvəˈluːʃən/) · noun
- The gradual process by which living organisms change over successive generations through variation and natural selection. More broadly, the slow, progressive development of anything over time. Related: development, progression, growth, transformation.
- PREDATOR /ˈprɛdətər/ · noun
- An animal that hunts other animals for food. A person or thing that causes another to suffer or be harmed. Related: hunter, killer, predacious, carnivore.
- HERBIVORE /ˈhɜːrbɪvɔːr/ · noun
- An animal that eats only plants, such as a cow or a rabbit. Related: plant-eater, vegetarian, browse, graze.
- CARNIVORE /ˈkɑːrnɪvɔːr/ · noun
- An animal that feeds primarily on the flesh of other animals. More broadly, a person who eats meat, or an organism that obtains energy and nutrients from animal tissue. Related: predator, meat-eater, hunter, flesh-eater.
- PALEONTOLOGIST /ˌpeɪlɪɒnˈtɒlədʒɪst/ · noun
- A scientist who studies fossils and ancient life forms, often specializing in paleontology. Related: paleontologist, fossil hunter, dinosaur expert.
- SPECIMEN /ˈspɛkɪmən/ · noun
- A sample or example of something, especially one that is typical or representative. A preserved animal or plant specimen, especially one used in scientific study. Related: sample, example, illustration, model.
- MESOZOIC /mɛˈzoʊ.ɪk/ · noun
- The geologic era from about 252 million to 66 million years ago, characterized by the dominance of reptiles, especially dinosaurs. This era is divided into three periods: Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. Related: Paleozoic, Cenozoic, geologic era, era of reptiles.
- JURASSIC /ˈdʒʊərəsɪk/ · adjective
- Relating to or denoting the Jurassic period, a geological period during the Mesozoic era from about 200 to 145 million years ago. Related: Mesozoic, Triassic, Cretaceous, Paleozoic.
- CRETACEOUS /krɪˈteɪʃəs/ · adjective
- Relating to or consisting of chalk; in geology, belonging to the Cretaceous Period, the final period of the Mesozoic Era (roughly 145 to 66 million years ago), noted for its chalk deposits and for ending with the mass extinction that eliminated the non-avian dinosaurs. Related: chalky, chalk-like, whitish.
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