The downward bulges in the rock layers are most likely
dinosaur tracks viewed in cross section. When dinosaurs walked in soft sand
they sank in, pushing down and distorting the layers beneath their feet.
The tracks later filled in with more sand and then buried by more layers.
The image below is of the large bulge to the left of this sign. It best fits
the size and shape of the back feet of brontosaurs (sauropods, often
called long-necks). The bones of one kind of these 90 foot long, 40 ton
giants, Apatosaurus, are found elsewhere on Dinosaur Ridge. The smaller
bulges could be from juvenile brontosaurs or other kinds of dinosaurs
(Stegosaurus, for example)
All dinosaurs walked on their toes and often their tracks show that the
toes pushed in deeper than the back of their foot. In the track (bulge)
pictured above, the deepest part was likely made by the front of the foot,
indicating the direction the animal was walking.
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