Texas Floods Uncover Dinosaur Footprints – A Real-life Theropod like Acrocanthosaurus

AI representation of an Acrocanthosaurus.

But wait! How do you pronounce Acrocanthosaurus?

To phonetically say “Acrocanthosaurus,” you can break it down as:

AK-roh-KAN-thə-SOR-əs

• AK as in “act”
• roh as in “row”
• KAN as in “can”
• thə as in the “thuh” sound
• SOR as in “sore”
• əs as in “us”

So, say it like: AK-roh-KAN-thuh-SOR-us.

What Happened?

After heavy July flooding in Central Texas, volunteers cleaning up near Big Sandy Creek in Travis County noticed big, three-toed footprints in the limestone. University of Texas paleontologists confirmed at least 15 tracks, about 18–20 inches long, dating to roughly 110–115 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous period. They likely came from a large meat-eater similar to Acrocanthosaurus. Local officials and scientists are documenting and protecting the site.

Which Dinosaur Made the Tracks?

Paleontologists say the big, three-clawed prints match a bipedal carnivore comparable to Acrocanthosaurus, a 30-plus-foot predator that roamed Cretaceous Texas long before T. rex ruled farther north. Some nearby impressions may be from big plant-eaters, too.

Why Floods Reveal Tracks

Dinosaur footprints are often preserved in hard limestone under softer soil and brush. High-energy floods can scour away that cover and expose prints; droughts can drop river levels and uncover long trackways as well. Texas has seen both, most famously at Dinosaur Valley State Park during recent dry spells.

Bronto Brothers Corner: A Kid-Friendly Mini-Lesson

• Footprint = “trace fossil.” It’s not a bone; it’s a mark left by a living animal long ago.
• Reading the toes: Three forward toes with claw marks usually mean a theropod (meat-eater).
• Size check: A print nearly two feet long suggests a giant walker!

If You Think You’ve Found a Track

1. Look, don’t pry. Don’t dig, pour water, or chalk the rock.
2. Pin the spot safely. Take clear photos, step back for context, and note landmarks.
3. Report it. In Central Texas, you can contact UT Austin’s Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections or local officials.

Respecting the Site

The Big Sandy Creek tracks are on or near private property, and officials are keeping details quiet to prevent damage. Scientists are working with county leaders to protect the prints during flood cleanup and digitally preserve them with mapping and 3D imaging.

Why This Discovery Matters

• Adds to Texas’ dinosaur map, giving us another window into the Early Cretaceous ecosystem.
• Inspires young scientists: a neighbor spotted them while helping after the flood.
• Shows nature’s power: Disasters can reveal hidden history, and it’s up to us to protect it.

Quick Facts

• Where: Big Sandy Creek area, Travis County, Texas
• Rock: Glen Rose Formation limestone
• Age: About 110–115 million years
• Count: At least 15 large, three-toed prints
• Who: Theropod like Acrocanthosaurus; possible nearby sauropod prints
• Status: Being documented and protected by UT Austin and local officials

FAQ

Can families visit the exact spot?
Not right now; location details are limited to protect the site and the landowner’s privacy. Consider a trip to Dinosaur Valley State Park to see similar tracks on public land.

Are these the oldest tracks in Texas?
They’re among the older Cretaceous tracks in the state (Early Cretaceous). Texas has many famous sites of similar age.

How big was Acrocanthosaurus?
Roughly 30–35 feet long and several tons, it was a top predator of its time.