The extinct animals discovered at La Brea Tar Pits were trapped in the asphalt between 11,000 to 50,000 years ago. They may have lived in the Los Angeles region for much of the last 100,000 years. Before that time the Los Angeles Basin was covered by the Pacific Ocean.
More than 100 excavations have been made at the Tar Pits since the early 1900s, and most of the fossils discovered here are housed in the museum at La Brea Tar Pits, at the center of the Tar Pits!
What are the Tar Pits? The Tar Pits have fascinated scientists and visitors for over a century, and today, this area is the only actively excavated Ice Age fossil site found in an urban location in the world! Over the last 50,000 years, Ice Age animals, plants, and insects were trapped in sticky asphalt, which preserved them for us to find today.
Over the last 50,000 years, Ice Age animals, plants, and insects were trapped in sticky asphalt, which preserved them for us to find today. More than 100 excavations have been made at the Tar Pits since the early 1900s, and most of the fossils discovered here are housed in the museum at La Brea Tar Pits, at the center of the Tar Pits!
Our most common mammals include dire wolves (Canis dirus), saber-toothed cats (Smilodon fatalis), and coyotes (Canis latrans)—all carnivores!
Tyrannosaurus Rex is believed to have lived in forests, near rivers, and in areas that were open and full of prey. Mild seasons would have been most favourable to it.
rex was the largest predator in North America during the last 2 million years of the age of dinosaurs. By analyzing the fossil remains of T. rex, paleontologists have discovered much about the behavior of these incredible animals.
0:108:34How to Draw a T-Rex Dinosaur - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that's kind of the brow area and then for the eyeball. Just come across. And then the bottom justMoreSo that's kind of the brow area and then for the eyeball. Just come across. And then the bottom just kind of like a u-shape just close everything. Off okay just to finish off the eyeball.
Dire wolves are the most common large mammals from La Brea Tar Pits, with about 4,000 individuals represented in its collections. The remains of over 2,000 individual saber-toothed cats rank second and coyotes rank third.
It is estimated that the collections at La Brea Tar Pits contain about three million items.
California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum) The most widespread shrubby buckwheat in California, this species has needle-like, evergreen leaves and masses of creamy white flowers in summer that provide nectar for butterflies and other beneficial insects.
The black gooey substance bubbling to the surface is actually asphalt. That this heavy, viscous substance is commonly called tar is misleading. Asphalt is the lowest grade of crude oil, and it can be found seeping to the surface throughout the Tar Pits park.
Of the more than 125 species of buckwheat native to California, this is by far the largest. Prized by gardeners for its silvery-gray leaves and massive inflorescence, it is valuable as wildlife habitat, too, offering food for insects, birds, and mammals.
The extinct animals discovered at La Brea Tar Pits were trapped in the asphalt between 11,000 to 50,000 years ago. They may have lived in the Los Angeles region for much of the last 100,000 years. Before that time the Los Angeles Basin was covered by the Pacific Ocean.
Lake Pit. The iconic Lake Pit, located in front of the museum, is actually a pit left over from asphalt mining operations in the late 1800s. Rain and groundwater has collected above the bubbling asphalt, creating a small lake. The lake’s bubbles, sheet, and distinctive odor come from a deep underground oil field.
However, thanks to the preservative properties of asphalt, Rancho La Brea has one of the world’s largest collections of fossil birds, with about 140 species represented!
In 1909, Merriam's Teratorn ( Teratornis merriami) was the first extinct bird species to be described from Rancho La Brea. The bird communities represented at Rancho La Brea are varied and, not surprisingly, 60% of Rancho La Brea birds are diurnal (daytime) birds of prey. These birds were undoubtedly attracted by other animals ...