A dinosaur track discovered along Brushy Creek in Hutto offers a rare glimpse into Central Texas’ prehistoric past. The well-preserved, three-toed footprint was found during a routine weekend walk and subsequently verified by Chris Sagebiel with the Jackson School of Geosciences’ Texas Vertebrate Paleontology Collections.
Discovery Along Brushy Creek
During a Saturday afternoon walk along Brushy Creek, local resident Gio Bernabe spotted a large three-toed imprint in the rock. Bernabe cleaned the area, photographed the impression, and shared the images on social media, where the discovery quickly drew attention from the community.
Sagebiel examined the photographs and confirmed the imprint is a genuine dinosaur track.
Identifying the Prehistoric Creator
While dinosaur tracks are relatively common throughout the wider Austin region, they typically turn up west of Interstate 35, where older rock formations are exposed closer to the surface, according to Sagebiel. The specific size and spacing of the Hutto track provide key clues for researchers attempting to classify the animal.
Sagebiel stated that the track likely belonged to a large, plant-eating, two-legged dinosaur, potentially a Hadrosaur, which is commonly referred to as a duck-billed dinosaur. According to paleontological data cited in the coverage, Hadrosaurs possessed broad, flat snouts, grew up to roughly 20 feet in length, and generally moved across ancient landscapes in herds.
Documentation and Scientific Value
Researchers emphasize that such discoveries provide valuable context regarding how the Central Texas environment evolved millions of years before human settlement. Documenting the site properly ensures the data remains available for long-term academic study.
To protect the site from degradation while still advancing research, paleontologists rely on non-invasive documentation methods. Sagebiel explained that the most accurate way to study these fossil tracks today involves capturing precise measurements and a detailed series of photographs to share with academic colleagues for inclusion in the Central Texas trackway catalog.