Teeth, Tusks and Tarpits 1a

Today Fossil Lake is as dry as a bone

Instead, there's a cool mountain desert, full of sagebrush and antelope. But the lake's tropical past has been preserved in millions of fossils.

These fossil plants and animals might look familiar to you - that's because their relatives survive today, although they've been changed in countless ways by evolution.

Fossil Crocodile
Fossil Turtle Fossil Fish
Crocodile (15k jpeg) | Turtle (15k jpeg) | Fish (14k jpeg)

Crocodile

Soft-shelled turtle and fish

Fish swallowing fish

Today Fossil Lake is as dry as a bone

Field Museum photos Geo-85304, 85895, 85894, 85505.2. All by John Weinstein.