Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our visitors and staff, the museum will be closing at 3 pm on December 24 due to the impending storms. The museum will be closed Thursday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday. We will reopen Friday, December 26.

The Ice Age Diner

Examine the teeth of fossil specimens at the Tar Pits and use what you infer about their diet to prepare a customized meal for each animal.

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Mammoth skeleton with curved tusks shot from below with a blue circular ceiling above

Overview

How can scientists infer the diet of extinct animals? One clue is the shape of their teeth! In this lesson, identify herbivores and carnivores at the Tar Pits, sketch their teeth, and prepare a customized meal for them at the Ice Age Diner. Students will practice math skills by finding the total cost of each meal. 

Location

  • La Brea Tar Pits Museum
  • Classroom

Materials