Vertebrate Fossils
Devonian fish
Animals with backbones are called vertebrates. They include reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, and mammals.
In many western states, vertebrate fossils, such as skeletons of dinosaurs, camels, and saber-toothed tigers, are common in Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks.
Most of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks (except Quaternary) in Illinois have been removed by erosion. As a result, the vertebrate fossils found in our state are restricted mainly to Paleozoic and Quaternary rocks.
The Paleozoic vertebrate fossils are fish teeth, scales, and bony plates, a few lizards, and amphibians. The Quaternary vertebrates included many formerly common but now extinct animals, such as mammoths and mastodons. Many forms still live in this region, such as horses, cattle, deer, and humans.
See more vertebrate fossils: plate 21 (bottom third of image).
Common Types of Illinois Fossils
The printed version of Guide for Beginning Fossil Hunters can be purchased from the Shop ISGS Web site.
Updated 09/23/2011 SLD