Paleontology News
Dinosaurs Walked Together: New Discovery Reveals Social Side of Prehistoric Giants
A newly discovered dinosaur tracksite in Alberta shows horned dinosaurs and others species including an ankylosaur may have traveled together in herds, offering rare insight into dinosaur social behavior.
Summary Points
Figure 1 from (Bell et al, 2025) showing the Skyline Tracksite just after it was discovered and during excavation. CC BY-4.0
Paleontologists found 13 horned dinosaur tracks at Skyline Tracksite in Alberta, all walking in the same direction.
The tracks likely show a herd of ceratopsians, with an ankylosaur and a small theropod nearby.
Two large tyrannosaur tracks suggest potential stalking or coordinated behavior.
This is the first time natural mold (concave) tracks have been found in Dinosaur Provincial Park.
The site offers strong evidence for mixed-species herding, a behavior seen in modern animals.
The discovery method has already led to more tracksites being found in the park.
Dinosaur Tracks Reveal Mixed Species Herd Behavior in Alberta's Badlands
This news article is based on a News Release from the University of Reading, UK, and the Journal Article (Bell et al. 2025) from PLOS One - CC BY 4.0
In a stunning new discovery from Canada's Dinosaur Provincial Park, paleontologists have uncovered a rare set of dinosaur footprints that reveal something extraordinary - dinosaurs of different species may have traveled together in herds, much like modern animals do today.
Figure 9 from (Bell et al, 2025) showing individual tracks and a digital model of the tyrannosaurids. CC BY 4.0
A Rare Window into the Past
For over a century, Alberta's Dinosaur Provincial Park has been a fossil goldmine, famous for its incredible dinosaur skeletons. But oddly enough, actual dinosaur footprints have been hard to find - until now.
In July 2024, a team of international researchers led by Dr. Brian Pickles (UK), Dr. Phil Bell (Australia), and Dr. Caleb Brown (Canada), uncovered a unique tracksite now known as the Skyline Tracksite. This remarkable find revealed footprints from several different dinosaur species all walking together, preserved for 76 million years in what was once a muddy lakeshore.
Dinosaurs on the Move - Together
At least 13 ceratopsian (horned dinosaur) tracks were uncovered, all moving in the same direction with even spacing - strong evidence that these animals were traveling as a coordinated herd. Right alongside them, a probable ankylosaur (armored dinosaur) seems to have been walking in the mix.
Even more intriguing were two large tyrannosaur tracks found nearby, moving side-by-side but perpendicular to the herd's path - suggesting these fearsome predators may have been tracking or observing the group.
A small carnivorous dinosaur also left its mark nearby, adding even more variety to the ancient cast of characters.
Social Herding? Just Like Modern Animals
The discovery of multiple species traveling together suggests these dinosaurs may have engaged in mixed-species herding - a behavior we still see today in animals like zebras and wildebeest, which group together for protection from predators.
This herding could have offered safety in numbers and allowed dinosaurs to use each other's senses to detect danger. The presence of nearby tyrannosaur tracks hints that staying together may have been a defense strategy against these apex predators.
The idea of herding behavior among dinosaurs has long been suspected based on bonebeds and nesting sites, but trackways offer real-time evidence. Seeing footprints preserved mid-journey tells us these weren't just fossilized animals buried together by coincidence - they were moving together, possibly even communicating and coordinating as they went.
Changing the Way We Find Tracks
This is the first time natural mold (concave) dinosaur tracks have ever been found in Dinosaur Provincial Park - a major breakthrough since most previously discovered tracks were rare, crumbling concretion casts.
The researchers developed a new method of spotting footprints based on subtle sediment rims. Thanks to this technique, several new tracksites have already been discovered in the region - opening the door to learning more about how dinosaurs actually lived and moved.
This new track-finding technique has sparked renewed interest in an area already rich with fossil history. In fact, the success of this approach means scientists can now re-examine other parts of the park with fresh eyes - potentially revealing hidden trackways that have been overlooked for decades.
Why This Discovery Matters
Ceratopsian tracks are rare globally, and their presence in such an organized group hints at complex behavior. Although we've long suspected dinosaurs like Styracosaurus may have traveled in herds, this is some of the strongest physical evidence to support the idea.
The tracks also add weight to theories that tyrannosaurs may have hunted or roamed in pairs or small groups, though more research is needed.
In the long term, discoveries like this could help us understand not just how dinosaurs moved, but how they migrated, raised young, or interacted with predators and other species in their ecosystems.
Dinosaur bones tell us what these animals looked like, but footprints show us how they lived. This new site gives us a fleeting, muddy glimpse into dinosaur life - not just as individual creatures, but as social animals moving through their world together.
And with this new discovery technique, it's likely we'll be walking in more dinosaur footsteps very soon.
Figure 2from (Bell et al, 2025) showing a map of the tracksite with the dinosuar prints. CC BY 4.0
Figure 5 from (Bell et al, 2025) showing and elevation model of the different types of dinosaur tracks. CC BY 4.0
Journal Article:
Bell PR, Pickles BJ, Ashby SC, Walker IE, Hurst S, Rampe M, et al. (2025) A ceratopsid-dominated tracksite from the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian) at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. PLoS One 20(7): e0324913. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0324913
Recommended Dinosaur Books and Educational Items:
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of a Lost World
Steve Brusatte, 2019
This dinosaur book is light-hearted and easy to read. The author, a renowned Paleontologist, does a great job at engaging the reader. It is packed with details without being overwhelming. Check out the reviews; it's a great new dinosaur book! Available in Kindle, Paper, and Audio.
Dinosaurs Rediscovered: The Scientific Revolution in Paleontology
Michael J. Benton, 2019
This is a great general book on dinosaurs. It's up-to-date and goes over the new discoveries over the last 20 years that has completely changed our views on dinosaurs. The book is broken up into easy chapters that goes over their colors, speeds, bite force, child caring, and more... stuff we didn't know just years ago! Check out the reviews and the sample pages. Available in Kindle, Paper, and Audio.
Nifeliz Dinosaur Fossils Building Kit
From 8 dinosaurs to choose from, The Nifeliz Dinosaur sets are nearly 500 pieces. They are a great gift for those 12+ who enjoy solo or group building with LEGOs. Constructing these models enhances hand-eye coordination and creativity. Perfect for family or friends, It's also compatible with existing LEGO pieces, facilitating the creation of a personalized toy museum! Check out the reviews!
High quality Dinosaur teeth by Fossilera
