 What's It Like To Be...
What's It Like To Be.... A Paleontologist
September is a great month for learning about new things. Youre probably back at school, making new friends and learning lots of new information. I thought it would be a great time to make a new friend, too and learn about one of my favorite subjects DINOSAURS! I recently visited with Jack Horner, Curator of Paleontology at the Museum of the Rockies. He was part of a team of researchers from Montana State University who recently found the skull of a baby Triceratops (an animal that died approximately 65 million years ago!). Lets find out what its like to be a paleontologist.
TRUMAN: What does it take to become a paleontologist?
HORNER: It takes a good background in geology and biology, plus a lot of patience. You need to be patient because it takes a long time to find, dig up and analyze fossils.
TRUMAN: When, and why, did you first become interested in this profession?
HORNER: When I was eight, I liked to dig holes in the ground and discover things no one had seen before.
TRUMAN: What do you do? Describe a typical day on the job.
HORNER: In the summer, I explore and look for dinosaur bones. In the fall, I study dinosaurs, and in the spring, I write and teach about dinosaurs.
TRUMAN: Whats the hardest part of your job?
HORNER: Its reading because I am dyslexic.
TRUMAN: Really? I know some kids who are dyslexic, too. Do you have any tips for them?
HORNER: Be patient with non-dyslexics because they are not as smart as you (he says with a smile!).
TRUMAN: What is the best part of your job?
HORNER: I like every part of my job.
TRUMAN: I understand you are about to leave the country on a dino dig. Where are you going?
HORNER: I have looked for and collected dinosaur bones all over the world. This year Ill be in Mongolia.
TRUMAN: Do you really find dinosaurs? What kind of dinosaurs have you found?
HORNER: Yes. I have found babies, eggs, duckbill dinosaurs and Tyrannosaurs. I have found most every kind of dinosaur.
TRUMAN: What is the biggest bone you have found ?
HORNER: The biggest is a nine-foot-long Torosaurus skull. A Torosaurus looks very similar to a Triceratops, but it is much bigger. This is the largest skull of a land animal ever found.
TRUMAN: And you worked on all three Jurassic Park movies? What was your involvement in the movies, and what was it like to be involved in that project?
HORNER: I was Steven Spielbergs technical advisor. It was fun because I got to advise him about the kind of dinosaurs I wanted to see, and his team made them come to life.
TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in this profession?
HORNER: You have to have lots of passion for dinosaurs. You have to be very certain that you want to be a paleontologist. If being a paleontologist is something that you might want to do, then find something else to do because it is such a competitive field.
TRUMAN: Since its such a competitive profession, you must be very good at it! Thanks, Mr. Horner, for taking a few minutes to talk to Kidsville News!
To learn more about the Mr.. Horners dinosaur research, visit the Museum of the Rockies web site at www.museumoftherockies.org.
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