MOLD FOSSIL

A fossil that shows an impression of the

organism in the rock.
*It shows a negative (inward) image of the
animal, plant, or other organism.
*Once the organism has dissolved or
decayed away, this fossil is left behind.
*Scientists will fill this mold to make a cast
fossil from this type of fossil.

CAST FOSSIL
A fossil that is a mold that has
been filled in and then turned to
rock.
*It shows a positive (outward) image
of the plant, animal, or other organism.
*After the organism dies, minerals
seep into the mold they leave.
*It is a 3D image of the organism
sticking out from the rock.
 True Form Fossils
Actual plant or animal is the fossil.
*These can be made from animals or
plants trapped in tar, ice, amber, or
tree sap. The substance hardens and
the animal or plant is preserved.
*The soft tissue of the organism
never decays
*All the original features like size,
color, etc. remain exactly the same.

Trace Fossils
A fossil that shows evidence of
activity or movement.
*Footprints, burrows, teeth marks,
tracks, and tail prints
*Can be created when an animal
walked in the mud long ago and then
the mud hardened into rock
*Scientists use these fossils to study
animal behavior, how they moved, etc.