The footprints of a dinosaur were revealed in Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas, as August droughts dried up the Paluxy River.
The tracks are believed to belong to two different species of dinosaur, including the Acrocanthosaurus, which stood roughly 15 feet tall and weighed 7 tons, CBS News reported. The other is believed to belong to a type of sauropod known as Sauroposeidon, a 60-foot tall, 44-ton creature. Initial estimates on the age of the tracks suggests they may be upward of 113 million years old.
1. A severe drought exposed 113 million-year-old dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas.
The tracks belonged to an acrocanthosaurus.
Superintendent Davis told the BBC, there are an estimated 140 tracks in total from this one dinosaur, with about 60 visible now. pic.twitter.com/doKuf535Zo
— BFM News (@NewsBFM) August 24, 2022
At the state park, located near the Dallas Fort-Worth area, visitors are encouraged to explore the grounds on horseback or through the extensive hiking trails, and even camp close to where dinosaurs once roamed through Texas, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
“Due to the excessive drought conditions this past summer, the river dried up completely in most locations, allowing for more tracks to be uncovered here in the park,” the park’s press office spokeswoman told CBS News. “Under normal river conditions, these newer tracks are underwater and are commonly filled in with sediment, making them buried and not as visible. Being able to find these discoveries and experience new dinosaur tracks is always an exciting time at the park!” (RELATED: Remains Of Dinosaurs Killed The Day Massive Asteroid Hit Earth Discovered, Scientists Say)
Historic rainfall throughout the Dallas Fort-Worth area means that the newest tracks may soon be covered by the river, CBS continued. The park will continue to preserve the footprints, despite them surviving for more than 113 million years without much help from human intervention.