2007-11-04 01:27:59 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
It doesn't usually fossilise. It normally rots away before the mud around the animal turns to stone. The creature would have to be smothered by mud ASAP, and not be exposed to enough oxygen to support the bacteria that cause decay.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7285683/
2007-11-04 01:42:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Soft tissue can leave imprints preserved in the rock, as the answers have already gone into. You wouldn't figure on soft tissues being preserved by mineralization or mineral replacement, though. Still there have been soft tissues actually preserved as fossils, even as far back as dinosaurs - they would have to be dried before rotting can break them down completely, and then somehow protected from destruction until they were found. There may be other ways to get soft tissues to be fossils, but I don't keep up with paleontology like I used to these days.
2007-11-04 11:25:19 · answer #2 · answered by John R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can only fossilise in very small sediments, like mud or lime. These are called Solenhofen deposits, and they have fossils with extraordinary detail and preservation. Otherwise, bacteria will decompose it just after death. Sometimes, bone medulla is preserved inside the bones.
2007-11-05 20:21:27 · answer #3 · answered by Lara Croft 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does!
But it is rare.
It is down to the fineness of the sand covering it.
Fossils of jellyfish have just been found, and you cannot get softer than that!
Look here:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1786505.stm
2007-11-04 08:33:13 · answer #4 · answered by tattie_herbert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it as been known in the burgess shales.
2007-11-04 09:34:22 · answer #5 · answered by HaSiCiT Bust A Tie A1 TieBusters 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋