- Thrinaxodon is an ancient animal from very long ago.
- It lived long ago alongside early dinosaurs at times.
- It had a thin membrane tucked into jaw crook.
- That membrane could work like an eardrum to hear.
- Models show the membrane would pick up airborne sound.
- This hearing was better than only bone conduction alone.
- Scientists used CT scans and engineering simulations on fossils.
- The study changes when sensitive hearing first evolved overall.
Difficult words
- ancient — from a very long time ago
- membrane — a thin soft layer on a body part
- eardrum — thin part inside the ear that hears
- fossil — hard remains of a plant or animalfossils
- evolve — to change slowly over timeevolved
- hearing — the sense that detects sounds
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen a fossil?
- Do you think good hearing is important for animals?
- Do you like to listen to sounds outside?
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