Alabama fossil excursions kick off just in time for Shark Week
By Jamon Smith
July 10, 2021
Fossil hunters separate fossils from stream gravel while searching for ancient shark teeth in Alabama s Shark Tooth Creek. (contributed)
The landlocked Alabama Black Belt isn’t where someone would expect to find fossilized shark teeth, but that’s where Alabama Museum of Natural History shark hunters are leading the state’s only daylong, public fossil excursions from July 10 to Aug. 6.
With Discovery Channel’s 33rd annual Shark Week starting July 11, the University of Alabama’s timing in celebrating Alabama’s own fascinating shark history couldn’t be better.
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Over 174 million years ago, a squid-like creature was chowing down on an ancient crustacean, only to find itself scooped up as a meal by a prehistoric shark. Three creatures left their mark in time in an extraordinarily well-preserved fossil in Germany.
Staff report
The bugs are back in town.
Bama Bug Fest, an event that aims to entertain and educate people about all things entomological, will feature virtual experiences along with in-person exhibits Thursday through Saturday at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum and Tuscaloosa Public Library.
“There are millions of species of insects on the planet that save us around $518 billion every year in the services they provide us,” said Kendra Abbott, research and outreach coordinator with the Alabama Museum of Natural History, in a news release. “They help keep our planet alive and each species has an amazing story. We hope people walk away appreciating something cool from each of these.”