Xenoceratops: Lost World of Westland Series Letterbox Hybrid
commander overlord: time to go
Xenoceratops: Lost World of Westland Series
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Walking through these woods will remind you of the days when the Dinosaur walked the Earth. Come out and see what the world looked like 150 million years ago. And also do a little caching while your at it.
To minimize walking, find in alphabetical order.
Name: Xenoceratops (Greek for "alien horned face"); pronounced ZEE-no-SEH-rah-tops
Historical Period: Late Cretaceous 80 million years ago
Habitat: Woodlands of North America
Size and weight: About 20 feet long and 3 tons
Diet: Plants
Distinguishing Characteristics: Large, two-horned frill; long brow horns
About Xenoceratops:
Over the past decade, more ceratopsians (horned, frilled dinosaurs) have been identified than any other type of dinosaur--probably because these plant-eaters' massive skulls tend to persist well in the fossil record. In November of 2012, paleontologists announced yet another ceratopsian genus, Xenoceratops, the fossils of which were discovered in 80-million-year-old sediments in the Belly River formation of Alberta, Canada. As is the case with many other dinosaurs, the naming of Xenoceratops came well after its original discovery. The scattered remains of this ceratopsian were actually unearthed way back in 1958, and then consigned to a dusty museum drawer for over half a century later. It was only recently that paleontologists from the Royal Ontario Museum reexamined the fossils and determined that they were dealing with a new genus, and not an existing ceratopsian species. What makes Xenoceratops special? Well, this ceratopsian predated more famous relatives like Styracosaurus and Centrosaurus by a few million years (late Cretaceous ceratopsians are relatively common, but most date back 70 to 65 million years, not 80 million years!) Oddly enough, though, Xenoceratops already possessed a fairly elaborate, horn-studded frill, an indication that ceratopsians developed these distinctive features earlier than was once thought. (By the way, the name Xenoceratops doesn't refer to this dinosaur's "alien" appearance, but to the relative paucity of fossils in the sediments where it was found.
THE DIRECTIONS:
Start at the posted coordinates and walk 166 PACES SOUTH WEST up the path.At first the path curves LEFT, then RIGHT, then up a slight hill. Here you will come to a path that goes off to the RIGHT. Turn 300° NORTH WEST and walk 50 PACES. Now you'll be in a forest of pine trees. Continue walking NORTH for 150 PACES passing a small pond off to your right. Stop when you get to a path heading off to the RIGHT at 40° NORTH EAST. A few PACES down this path is a large fallen tree blocks the way. Walk to the tree, Stop and turn LEFT. Bushwhack to the base end of the large tree. Now continue another 4 more PACES and look under a log to find Xenoceratops.
**** Please be prepared this area can be very muddy at certain times of the year****
****Remember to follow all directions EXACTLY****
****Bring bug spray****
****Good Boots****
****Compass****
This cache is located within The Holliday Forest & Wildlife Preserve a part of the Wayne county park system. All caches are placed with permission. The Holliday Forest & Wildlife Preserve contains approximately 550 acres along the valley of what is known as Tonquish Creek in the northwest part of the County of Wayne.
This land was acquired by the County for the purpose of habitat preservation through the estate of Mr. Arthur J. Richardson, a Detroit Banker. Mr. Richardson, a philanthropist who died in 1938, stipulated in his will that the County establish a park in honor of his uncle William P. Holliday, who was a life long mentor.
It took over twenty years to assemble hundreds of little parcels that eventually became the Holliday Wildlife Preserve in 1958.
This three-mile section of the Tonquish Creek watershed is in its natural state, containing thickets, upland woods, wetlands and meadows. The foot trails that follow the streambed date back to the days of the Potowanami Indians who fished and trapped this rich land. Chief Tonquish was killed and buried on the lands within the preserve |
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ba tebhaq
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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