Trace Fossil

Imagine walking on a sandy beach and leaving footprints behind as you stroll. This is similar to how trace fossils are formed when an organism leaves behind an imprint in soft sedimentary rock, like a footprint in the sand. Just as your footprints in the sand capture a moment of your journey along the beach, trace fossils capture a snapshot of an organism's activity, like walking or burrowing, preserved in the earth's geological record.
Practice Version

Trace Fossil: A fossil formed in soft sedimentary rock, like a footprint. Trace fossil. A trace fossil is a mark or track left behind by animals, showing their activities like walking or burrowing.