Dinosaur Fossil Heads to Auction

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A famous Triceratops fossil called Trey is expected to sell for about five million dollars at an auction in Singapore on 17 March.

The dinosaur fossil, which is more than 66 million years old, was first discovered in Wyoming in the United States over 30 years ago. Scientists found it at a site where bones from the powerful Tyrannosaurus rex have also been uncovered.

Trey is about 17 feet long and belonged to a plant-eating dinosaur species. For many years, the fossil has been displayed at the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre, where visitors could see it up close. Now the fossil’s owners have decided it should find a new home.

In recent years, dinosaur fossils have sometimes sold for very high prices. Wealthy private collectors often buy them at auctions around the world.

Some scientists are worried about this trend. They say museums may not be able to afford important fossils if prices keep rising.

The Triceratops is well known for its three long horns and the large frill around its neck. It was a herbivore, meaning it ate plants instead of other animals. With hundreds of teeth, it could chop through tough plants as it searched for food. Scientists once thought Triceratops lived only in North America and Asia, but recent discoveries suggest it may also have lived in Europe.

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Did You Know?

How much is the Triceratops fossil expected to sell for?
The Triceratops fossil named Trey is expected to sell for about five million dollars!

Vocabulary

Click on the words in the article. See if you can find them all.
  • fossil The remains of a plant or animal from a long time ago. Scientists study fossils to learn about dinosaurs.
  • herbivore An animal that eats only plants. A Triceratops is a herbivore because it eats plants.
  • auction A public sale where items are sold to the highest bidder. The dinosaur fossil will be sold at an auction in Singapore.
  • Thinking Question

    What do you think could happen if fossils become too expensive for museums?

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