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COMMENTARY
Nomination of T.rex (Tyrannosaurus rex)

for National Fossil Reptile and Nomination

of the American Mastodon (Mammut

americanum) for National Fossil Mammal

America has a national fossil day but no national fossil. It is is an elephant, the symbol of a national political party. Politics
time to fill that void. Fossils are a part of America’s heritage and must be kept out of the selection of a national fossil.
a great introduction to science, beginning in kindergarten. In the fall of 2021, Randy Frye, a member of Indiana’s House
The selection of the bison as America’s national mammal in of Representatives, visited the Hanover College Science Center,
2014 opens the door for selecting two national fossils, a reptile and where casts of Tinker, a juvenile T.rex, and Sandy, the Burning
a mammal. There are two fossils with a pure North American ped- Tree mastodon, are on display. That visit prompted him to intro-
igree that stand out above all others: the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus duce House Bill 1013, naming the American mastodon, Mammut
rex, known as T.rex, and the American mastodon, Mammut americanum, as Indiana’s state fossil.
americanum. For the Indiana legislature, the approval of a state fossil rested
For many Americans, the first fossil that comes to mind is largely on its educational value. House Bill 1013 was approved
T.rex, which roamed western North America between about 68 92–0 by the House and 39–6 by the Senate. The bill becomes
and 66 million years ago. No other fossil comes close to matching effective 1 July.
the appeal of T.rex to young and old alike, the world over. It fits The same approach should be applicable at the national level,
the mold of other national symbols and is the perfect candidate for where new educational opportunities would be welcomed and
national fossil reptile. valued. Paired together, the T.rex and the mastodon offer a wide
For national fossil mammal, the mastodon would be an excellent range of topics in science education at all grade levels. They
choice. It roamed throughout North America from about 2.4 mil- certainly fit the mold of other American symbols in representing
lion years ago to about 10,500 years ago when it became extinct. the best of what makes America great.
Mastodon fossils are found, or could be found, in every state What’s next? If you agree with my proposal, contact your
except Hawaii. Mounted mastodons are featured attractions in elected representatives to Congress. I plan to do the same.
museums in at least fifteen states and the District of Columbia. Working together, we can make it happen. You may contact me
A lingering question is, “Why select the mastodon over the at totten@hanover.edu. I would appreciate hearing from you.
more popular look-alike, the mammoth?” Elimination of the mam-
moth for consideration as national mammal fossil is based on two Stanley M. Totten
issues. First, there are two species of mammoths in America, a Professor Emeritus of Geology
potential source for confusion, and the more popular wooly mam- Hanover College
moth is best known from fossils in Siberia. Second, the mammoth Hanover, Indiana 47243, USA

54 GSA TODAY | May 2022