Paleoparadoxiid

The fossils of an unusual mammal were discovered in Southern California, and this interactive tells the story of the detective work done by scientists to interpret the findings. The paleoparadoxiid, now-extinct, was a four-legged mammal with eyes positioned near the top of its head, not unlike a hippopotamus. The two interactive touch screens located directly in front of the specimen contain various activities that bring the animal back to life. One activity demonstrates the process of fossil examination where visitors uncover bones from a fossil matrix with the aid of an airscribe and learn more about each bone. Another activity allows visitors to examine fossils in-depth and learn more about the details of a recently discovered specimen. In a final activity, visitors simulate the delicate preparation of the fossil specimen for display in the museum. The interactive allows them to select a fossil from a bin and challenges them to correctly identify where it belongs on the specimen. Woven throughout the experience are interviews with the paleontologists who uncovered, analyzed, and studied the specimen. While not widely known, this strange beast is poised to gain popularity and capture the attention of both young and old visitors.