A team of state college researchers and volunteers have unearthed an incredibly rare find in an area of southern Idaho known for its natural springs.

A team of professionals from Idaho State University's Geosciences Department in Pocatello have found just the second ever documented remains of a dinosaur burrow in North America. The find happened near Soda Spings, which is approximately 170 miles east of Twin Falls.

Lead researcher L.J. Krumenacker discovered the ancient Idaho site some time ago, which at the time held the bones of a 98 million year old species known as Oryctodromeus. It was upon a recent return to the site while instructing a group of Montana State University students that Krumenacker found the burrow, according to information shared by localnews8.com.

The dinosaur that created the large hole--most likely while birthing offspring-- is thought to be approximately 11 feet in length, and lived on a diet of plants. The finding actually took place during a lecture at the site. Krumenacker is a well known name in the Gem State, having authored articles and books on dinosaur findings in North America.

The only other burrow documented in North America was discovered 12 years ago in southern Montana. It was later  learned that a family of dinosaurs once sought shelter at the site. Idaho has been a hot bed for bone and fossil findings in recent decades. Scientists attribute these discoveries to the fact that the state was likely submerged by water during the Paleozoic era.

 

 

 

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