GLEN ROSE, Texas (KNX) — Persistent drought in Texas unveiled a shocking discovery at the aptly named Dinosaur Valley State Park: 113 million-year-old dinosaur tracks.
Experts determined the tracks were likely left by an Acrocanthosaurus, weighing between three and five tons and spanning 30 feet long as an adult, according to the website for the Texas Park and Wildlife Department.
Glen Rose, a spokeswoman for the park, told NBC News that the footprints became visible once the Paluxy River dried up significantly throughout the majority of the park. Under normal weather conditions, the dinosaur tracks are underwater and filled with rocks and sand.
“Most tracks that have recently been uncovered and discovered at different parts of the river in the park belong to Acrocanthosaurus. This was a dinosaur that would stand, as an adult, about 15 feet tall and (weigh) close to seven tons,” park spokesperson Stephanie Salinas Garcia told CNN in an email.
“Being able to find these discoveries and experience new dinosaur tracks is always an exciting time at the park!” she added.
Volunteers from the non-profit organization Friends of DVSP initially posted about finding the tracks last week on their Facebook page and assisted park staff in mapping and cleaning them.