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American Museum of Natural History

Dinosaur Teeth

Dinosaur Teeth

When it comes to dinosaurs, teeth are the windows to these prehistoric reptiles' stomachs—and the different foods that filled them. Examine dinosaur choppers, strippers, grinders, and rippers.


Dinosaur Teeth




  • More About This Resource...

    • In this classroom activity, created to complement the Museum's Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries exhibit, middle school students learn what kinds of information can be gained by studying teeth.

      • The activity opens with background information for teachers about dinosaur teeths.
      • Working in small groups, students examine their own teeth; hypothesize about how incisors, canine teeth, and molars are used; and test their hypotheses with carrots.
      • The activity concludes with a student worksheet that challenges them to identify the uses of different dinosaur teeth.

    • Completion Time

      Less than 1 period

    • Topic

      Paleontology

    • Subtopic

      Fossil Dinosaurs and Birds

    • Subtopic

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades 5-8:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:

    • Learning Standard

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades 5-8:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: