How do Paleontologists know where the bones of prehistoric creatures go?

Question

Do paleontologists ever misplace bones and how often?

In: Biology

Answer 1

They study existing animals and compare.

Despite millions of years of evolution the bones of prehistoric animals have a lot in common with current animals. We can easily identify ribs, skulls, femurs, and other bones.

By comparing the fossilized bones to similar animals we have today like Birds and Reptiles the paleontologists can figure out where everything goes.