PREHISTORIC LIFE IN 

THE NATIONAL PARKS 

National Park Service 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

COLORING BOOK 

PREHISTORIC LIFE IN 

THE NATIONAL PARKS 

COLORING BOOK 

National Park Service, Geologic Resources Division, Paleontology Program 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/index.htm 
DEDICATION 

This Prehistoric Life in the National Parks Coloring Book is

dedicated to Georgia Hybels, a National Park Service

geographer who shared her time to foster children’s

interests in fossils, caves and national parks.
PRECAMBRIAN 

“before the Cambrian”

The Precambrian Eon is part of Earth’s history. It spans from approximately 4.6 billion years ago to 541 

million years ago. 

This section includes a Precambrian life form found in some of our national parks in the United States. 

Collenia symmetrica is an early fossil. It shows layers of sand trapped by tiny organisms (mostly 

cyanobacteria) into mounds that we call stromatolites. Stromatolites are some of the earliest and most 

widespread forms of early prehistoric life. Fossils of Collenia have been found at Glacier National Park, 

Montana. 
NPS • Paleontology 

Collenia symmetrica Strom ato I ites 
PALEOZOIC ERA 

“ancient animal life”

The Paleozoic Era is part of Earth’s history that spans approximately 541 million years ago to 252 million 

years ago. This era began with an explosion of new life. New and different ocean animals lived during the 

Cambrian. Over time, plants and animals evolved to live in the oceans and on land. The Paleozoic ends 

after a large die off (extinction) of many early lifeforms at the end of the Permian. 

This section includes some Paleozoic life which have been found in some of our national parks in the 

United States. 

Ehmania weedi is an extinct group of arthropods known as a trilobite that lived during the Cambrian. 

Fossils of Ehmania have been found at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. 

Pycnocrinus multibrachiatus is a crinoid (sea lilly) that lived during the Ordovician. Fossils of Pycnocrinus

have been found at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, Minnesota. 

Hughmilleria shawangunk is an extinct arthropod called an eurypterid from the Silurian. Fossils of 

Hughmilleria have been found at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, New Jersey and 

Pennsylvania. 

Eleutherokomma reidfordi is a brachiopod (lamp shell) that lived during the Devonian. Fossils of 

Eleutherokomma have been found at Death Valley National Park, California. 
PALEOZOIC ERA 

(continued) 

Saivodus striatus is an early shark that lived during the Mississippian. Fossil of Saivodus have been found 

at Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. 

Lepidodendron sp. is an early complex plant, sometimes called a scale tree. It lived during the Late 

Paleozoic. Fossils of Lepidodendron have been found at Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, and New 

River Gorge National River, West Virginia. 

Amaradontus santuccii is an early shark that lived during the Mississippian. Fossils of Amaradontus have 

been found at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 

Barytichisma zaphrentiforme is a horn coral that lived during the Pennsylvanian. Fossils of Barytichisma

have been found at Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah. 

Tupus whitei is an early dragonfly that lived during the Permian. Fossil remains of Tupus have been found 

at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 

Supaia merriami is a fern-like plant that lived during the Permian. Fossils of Supaia have been found at 

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 

Cooperoceras texanum is an ocean animal known as a nautiloid. It lived during the Permian. Fossils of 

Cooperoceras have been found at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas. 
------ NPS • Paleontology --------

Ehmania weedi Trilobite 
NPS • Paleontology 

Pycnocrinus multibrachiatus Crinoid 
NPS • Paleontology -------

Hughmilleria shawangunk Aquatic Arthropod 
------ NPS • Paleontology -----­

Eleutherokomma reidfordi Brachiopod 
------ NPS • Paleontology ------

Saivodus striatus Ancient Shark 
NPS • Paleontology -----­

Lepidodendron sp. Scale Trees

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------ NPS • Paleontology ------

Amaradontus santuccii Ancient Shark 
NPS • Paleontology -----­

Barytichisma zaphrentiforme Horn Coral 
NPS • Paleontology --------. 

Tupus whitei Dragonfly 
NPS • Paleontology ------

Supaia merriami ·Fern-like Plant 
NPS • Paleontology -----­

Nautiloid 

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Cooperoceras texanum 
 

MESOZOIC ERA 

“middle animal life”

The Mesozoic Era is part of Earth’s history that spanned approximately 252 million years ago to 66 million 

years ago. The Mesozoic begins after the Permian extinction at the end of the Paleozoic. This period of 

“middle animal life” is sometimes also referred to as the “Age of Reptiles”. This is due to the many types of 

ocean and land reptiles, including the dinosaurs, which evolved during this time. 

This section includes Mesozoic life that have been found in some of our national parks in the United States. 

Anaschisma browni is a large amphibian that lived during the Triassic. Fossils of Anaschisma have been 

found at Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. 

Desmatosuchus spurensis is a plant-eating reptile (aetosaur) that lived during the Triassic. Fossils of 

Desmatosuchus have been found at Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. 

Enoploclytia porteri is a prehistoric crayfish that lived during the Triassic. Fossils of Enoploclytia have been 

found at Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. 

Apatosaurus louisae is large plant-eating sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Jurassic. Fossils of 

Apatosaurus have been discovered at Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah. 
MESOZOIC ERA 

(continued) 

Stegosaurus ungulatus is a plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Jurassic. The drawing shows an 

adult and juvenile Stegosaurus. This is based on fossils from the Morrison Formation at Dinosaur National 

Monument, Colorado and Utah. 

Cycadeoidea pulcherrima is an example of an extinct group of seed plants known as cycadeoids. These 

plants lived during the Cretaceous. A small dinosaur known as Hypsilophodon wielandi is shown with the 

cycadeoid. Fossils of Cycadeoidea are known from an abolished national monument that was called Fossil 

Cycad National Monument, South Dakota. 

Dolichorhynchops osborni is a reptile that swam in the oceans. This reptile was a short-necked plesiosaur 

that lived during the Cretaceous. Fossils of Dolichorhynchops have been found at Little Bighorn Battlefield 

National Monument, Montana. 

Pachydiscus hazzardi is an ocean animal known as an ammonite. It lived during the Cretaceous. Fossils of 

Pachydiscus have been found at Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska. 

Quetzalcoatlus northropi is a flying reptile known as a pterosaur. It lived during the Cretaceous. This 

prehistoric creature is the largest known flying animal in Earth’s history. Fossils of Quetzalcoatlus have 

been found at Big Bend National Park, Texas. 

Nanuqsaurus hoglundi is a large meat-eating dinosaur. It lived during the Cretaceous. Fossil footprints of 

Nanuqsaurus (or a close cousin) have been found at Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. 
NPS • Paleontology -----------

Anaschisma browni Giant Amphibian 
NPS • Paleontology -------­

Desmatosuchus spurensis Aetosaur 
NPS • Paleontology --------. 

Enop/oclytia porteri Crayfish 
Apatosaurus louisae Sauropod Dinosaur 
NPS • Paleontology --------

Stegosaurus ungulatus Stegosaur Dinosaur 
NPS • Paleontology ------

Cycadeoidea pulcherrima 

Fossil Cycadeoid 

Hypsilophodon wielandi 

Herbivorous Dinosaur 
------ NPS • Paleontology ------­

Dolichorhynchops osborni Plesiosaur 
NPS • Paleontology -----­

Quetzalcoatlus northropi Pterosaur 
NPS • Paleontology -------­

Pachydiscus hazzardi Ammonite 
NPS • Paleontology 

Nanuqsaurus hoglundi Theropod Dinosaur 
CENOZOIC ERA 

“recent animal life”

The Cenozoic Era is part of Earth’s history which spans from 66 million years ago to the present. The 

Cenozoic began after the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other lifeforms at the end of the 

Cretaceous. This period of “recent animal life” is sometimes also referred to as the “Age of Mammals”. This 

is due to the variety of mammals which evolved during this time. 

This section includes some Cenozoic life which have been found in some of our national parks in the United 

States. 

Plesiadapis gidleyi is an early primate that lived during the Paleocene. Fossils of Plesiadapis have been 

found at Big Bend National Park, Texas, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. 

Champsosaurus gigas is a crocodile-like reptile that lived during the Paleocene. Fossils of Champsosaurus

have been found at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. 

Megacerops coloradensis is a large rhino-like mammal known as a brontothere. This animal lived during 

the Eocene. Fossils of Megacerops have been found at Badlands National Park, South Dakota, and 

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado. 

Heliobatis radians is a prehistoric stingray which lived in fresh-water lakes during the Eocene. Fossils of 

Heliobatis have been found in rocks within and around Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming. 
CENOZOIC ERA 

(continued) 

Diplomystus dentatsus is a prehistoric herring-like fish. It lived in fresh-water lakes during the Eocene. 

Fossils of Diplomystus have been found in rocks within and around Fossil Butte National Monument, 

Wyoming. 

Palaeovespa florissantia is a prehistoric wasp. This flying insect lived during the Eocene. Fossils of 

Palaeovespa have been found in rocks within and around Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, 

Colorado. 

Miniochoerus gracilis is a small plant-eating mammal known as an oreodont. This animal lived during the 

Late Eocene and Early Oligocene. Fossils of Miniochoerus have been found at Badlands National Park, 

South Dakota, and Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska. 

Hypertragulus hesperius is a small deer-like, plant-eating mammal. This animal lived during the Oligocene. 

Fossils of Hypertragulus have been found at Badlands National Park, South Dakota, and John Day Fossil 

Beds National Monument, Oregon. 

Eurhinodelphis longirostrus is a primitive long-nosed dolphin. This animal lived during the Miocene. Fossils 

of Eurhinodelphis have been found at George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Virginia. 

Daeodon hollandi is a large pig-like mammal known as an entelodont. This animal lived during the 

Miocene. Fossils of Daeodon have been found at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska. 
CENOZOIC ERA 

(continued) 

Equus simplicidens is an extinct species of horse known as the “Hagerman Horse”. This animal lived during 

the Pliocene. Fossils of Equus simplicidens have been found at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, 

Idaho. 

Chesapecten jeffersonius is an extinct scallop that lived during the Pliocene. It is the Virginia State Fossil. 

Fossils of Chesapecten jeffersonius have been found at Colonial National Historical Park, Virginia. 

Mammuthus columbi is a large elephant-like mammal that lived during the Pleistocene. Fossils of 

Mammuthus are known from many national parks. The best specimens are preserved at Waco Mammoth 

National Monument, Texas. 

Bison latifrons is an extinct species of bison (buffalo) that lived during the Pleistocene. Fossils of Bison

latifrons have been found at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Texas, and Tule Springs Fossil Beds 

National Monument, Nevada. 

Miracinonyx trumani is known as the American Cheetah that lived during the Pleistocene. Fossils of 

Miracinonyx have been found at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 

Gymnogyps californianus is a large bird known as a condor. This animal lived during the Pleistocene. 

Fossils of Gymnogyps have been found in caves at Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. 
CENOZOIC ERA 

(continued) 

Nothrotheriops shastensis is known as the Shasta Ground Sloth. This large animal lived during the 

Pleistocene. Fossils of Nothrotheriops have been discovered in many national parks. This list includes 

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, Guadalupe Mountains 

National Park, Texas, and White Sands National Park, New Mexico. 

Smilodon gracilis is a saber-tooth cat. This big cat lived during the Pleistocene. Fossils of Smilodon have 

been found at Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, Nevada, and Valley Forge National Historical 

Park, Pennsylvania. 
NPS • Paleontology -----------

Plesiadapis gid/eyi Early Primate 

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NPS • Paleontology ------

Champsosaurus gigas Fresh Water Reptile 

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-------- NPS • Paleontology ------

Megacerops coloradensis Brontothere 
NPS • Paleontology -------

Heliobatis radians Fresh Water Ray 
------ NPS • Paleontology -----... 

Diplomystus dentatus Fresh Water Fish 
NPS • Paleontology -----------

Palaeovespa florissantia Ancient Wasp 
NPS • Paleontology 

Miniochoerus gracilis Oreodont 
NPS • Paleontology 

Hypertragulus hesperius Ancient Deer 
NPS • Paleontology ------

Eurhinode/phis longirostrus Well-nosed Dolphin 
NPS • Paleontology --------. 

Daeodon shoshonensis Entelodont 
NPS • Paleontology 

Equus simplicidens Hagerman Horse 
NPS • Paleontology --------. 

ChesapectenJeffersonius Scallop 
NPS • Paleontology ------

Mammuthus columbi Columbian Mammoth 
NPS • Paleontology 

Bison latifrons Long-horned Bison 
NPS • Paleontology ------

Miracinonyx trumani American Cheetah 
NPS • Paleontology -----­

Gymnogyps californianus Condor 
NPS • Paleontology ------

Nothrotheriops shastensis Shasta Ground Sloth 
NPS • Paleontology -----.... 

Smilodon gracilis Saber-toothed Cat 
1. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, NE 

2. Badlands National Park, SD 

3. Big Bend National Park, TX 

4. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM 

5. Colonial National Historical Park, VA 

6. Death Valley National Park, CA 

7. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, NJ, PA 

8, Denali National Park & Preserve, AK 

9. Dinosaur National Monument, CO, UT 

10. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO 

11. Fossil Butte National Monument, WY 

12. Fossil Cycad National Monument, SD (abolished) 

13. George Washington Birthplace National Monument, VA 

14. Glacier National Park, Montana 

15. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona 

16. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX 

17. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, ID 

18. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, OR 

19. Katmai National Park & Preserve, AK 

20. Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, TX 

21. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, MT 

22. Mammoth Cave National Park, KY 

23. Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, MN 

24. New River Gorge National River, WV 

25. Petrified Forest National Park, AZ 

26. Scotts Bluff National Monument, NE 

27. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND 

28. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, NV 

29. Valley Forge National Historical Park, PA 

30. Waco Mammoth National Monument, TX 

31. White Sands National Park, NM 

32. Yellowstone National Park, ID, MT, WY 
GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE 

11,700 YEARS AGO 

66 MILLION YEARS AGO 

252 MILLION YEARS AGO 

541 MILLION YEARS AGO 

4.6 BILLION YEARS AGO ORIGIN OF THE EARTH 

“AGE OF MAMMALS”

“AGE OF REPTILES”

“AGE OF ANCIENT ANIMAL LIFE”
Do you want to Become a 

Junior Paleontologist? 

To Learn more - visit 

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/junior-paleontologist.htm 
 

This Prehistoric Life in the National Parks Coloring Book is a collaborative project between the National Park Service (NPS) Paleontology 

Program and the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). The NPS and AGI share a vision and are committed to inspire children, of all ages, 

to embrace science and stewardship through their interests in dinosaurs and other prehistoric life. 

This coloring book is available online at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/coloring-book.htm 

Content, Design, and Layout: Vincent L. Santucci, J.P. Hodnett, Justin Tweet, and Alison Mims 

Artwork: Studio 105 and Benji Paysnoe 

Technical Review: Arvid Aase, Robert Blodgett, Diana Boudreau, Geoffrey Camphire, Ronnie Colvin, Tim Connors, Bill DiMichele, Pat 

Druckenmiller, Nick Famoso, Scott Foss, Stephen Godfrey, Rebecca Hunt-Foster, Adam Marsh, Jim Mead, Herb Meyer, Bill Parker, Kari 

Prassack, Roy Plotnick, Don Prothero, Ed Robeck, Mariah Slovacek, Christy Visaggi, Ed Welsh, and Jeff Wolin. 

Website Development: Jim Wood 

First Edition – July 15, 2020 
PREHISTORIC 

LIFE IN THE 

NATIONAL 

PARKS 

COLORING 

BOOK