The Cretaceous Reserve Caper
An alarm has shattered the night at the Late Cretaceous Biosphere Reserve. Someone has breached the high-security gene-vault and stolen invaluable prehistoric DNA sequences. The security team suspects a rogue paleontologist on the staff who has spliced themselves with dinosaur traits to slip past the defenses. You must analyze the evidence, trace the genetic markers, and find the culprit.
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
| Name | Spliced DNA | Secondary Trait | Dominant Track | Feather Color | Deterrent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Roy Andrews | Ankylosaurus Armor | Thermal Vision | right footed tracks | Cobalt Feathers | Bright Flare |
| Dr. Dong Zhiming | Pterodactyl Flight | Quills Projectile | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Phil Currie | Tyrannosaurus Bite | Acid Spit | right footed tracks | Cobalt Feathers | Sonic Whistle |
| Dr. Mary Anning | Tyrannosaurus Bite | Electric Shock | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Robert Bakker | Velociraptor Speed | Thermal Vision | left footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Barnum Brown | Tyrannosaurus Bite | Acid Spit | right footed tracks | Emerald Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Gideon Mantell | Ankylosaurus Armor | Thermal Vision | left footed tracks | Emerald Feathers | Sonic Whistle |
| Dr. Donald Johanson | Pterodactyl Flight | Camouflage Skin | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Kristi Curry | Tyrannosaurus Bite | Quills Projectile | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Thomas Holtz | Tyrannosaurus Bite | Quills Projectile | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Bright Flare |
| Dr. Stephen Brusatte | Pterodactyl Flight | Acid Spit | right footed tracks | Emerald Feathers | Sonic Whistle |
| Dr. Patricia Vickers | Ankylosaurus Armor | Camouflage Skin | left footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Charles Knight | Velociraptor Speed | Camouflage Skin | left footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Sonic Whistle |
| Dr. Susan Maidment | Velociraptor Speed | Acid Spit | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Othniel Marsh | Ankylosaurus Armor | Thermal Vision | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Bright Flare |
| Dr. Xu Xing | Pterodactyl Flight | Thermal Vision | right footed tracks | Emerald Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Karen Chin | Ankylosaurus Armor | Acid Spit | left footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Cold Spray |
| Dr. Richard Owen | Ankylosaurus Armor | Electric Shock | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Bright Flare |
| Dr. Luis Chiappe | Tyrannosaurus Bite | Electric Shock | left footed tracks | Cobalt Feathers | Sonic Whistle |
| Dr. Edward Cope | Tyrannosaurus Bite | Quills Projectile | left footed tracks | Emerald Feathers | Sonic Whistle |
| Dr. Paul Sereno | Velociraptor Speed | Electric Shock | right footed tracks | Crimson Feathers | Sonic Whistle |
Rounding
Our long-range sonar scanner picks up a massive signature moving through the fern valley, but the digital display is flickering and only outputs rounded values. We need to round these signals to the nearest hundred to isolate the thief's coordinate.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Addition
The team discovers several broken dinosaur eggshells near the incubation lab. By totaling the fragments found across the different nesting sectors, we can calculate the exact weight of the stolen clutch and unlock the security log.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Subtraction
A sudden power drain hits the perimeter fences as the saboteur bypasses the main generator. We must calculate the remaining megawatt reserve by subtracting the lost energy from our baseline to keep the sanctuary secure.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Multiplication facts (1-12)
The tracker spots identical rows of fossilized theropod footprints embedded in the dried mudbank. Multiplying the number of strides by the distance of each pace will pinpoint the exact stride length of the fleeing suspect.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
To search the vast volcanic canyon before nightfall, we need to divide our remaining drone fleet equally among the search grids. Finding the correct share per sector will optimize our sensors and reveal the thief's hideout.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Cretaceous Reserve Caper
- Clue 1 (Rounding): "THE THIEF DOES NOT USE ELECTRIC SHOCK"Round 133 to the nearest ten = 130 (T) · Round 93 to the nearest ten = 90 (D) · Round 31 to the nearest ten = 30 (L) · Round 459 to the nearest hundred = 500 (E) · Round 9,289 to the nearest thousand = 9000 (C) · Round 373 to the nearest ten = 370 (F) · Round 73 to the nearest ten = 70 (S) · Round 2,943 to the nearest hundred = 2900 (U) · Round 2,793 to the nearest thousand = 3000 (O) · Round 1,730 to the nearest hundred = 1700 (K) · Round 1,145 to the nearest hundred = 1100 (N) · Round 233 to the nearest ten = 230 (I) · Round 928 to the nearest hundred = 900 (R) · Round 4,335 to the nearest hundred = 4300 (H)
- Clue 2 (Addition): "THE RIGHT FOOT WAS PRESSED MUCH DEEPER"3991 + 3172 = 7163 (T) · 2518 + 5576 = 8094 (S) · 3416 + 1652 = 5068 (W) · 1825 + 2908 = 4733 (D) · 962 + 1423 = 2385 (I) · 2538 + 1842 = 4380 (U) · 4646 + 2167 = 6813 (H) · 2861 + 5001 = 7862 (P) · 4098 + 2933 = 7031 (R) · 6005 + 3648 = 9653 (C) · 3331 + 4653 = 7984 (O) · 2275 + 1819 = 4094 (A) · 1065 + 1497 = 2562 (F) · 3884 + 2137 = 6021 (M) · 5158 + 2923 = 8081 (E) · 2760 + 5471 = 8231 (G)
- Clue 3 (Subtraction): "COLD SPRAY WILL FREEZE THEM IN PLACE"7330 - 193 = 7137 (C) · 5935 - 4789 = 1146 (H) · 6548 - 1689 = 4859 (R) · 7458 - 2122 = 5336 (Y) · 3199 - 794 = 2405 (O) · 8380 - 2855 = 5525 (Z) · 9870 - 4501 = 5369 (P) · 5820 - 2462 = 3358 (I) · 4958 - 2316 = 2642 (S) · 11498 - 3236 = 8262 (A) · 8652 - 2288 = 6364 (L) · 9269 - 3366 = 5903 (T) · 12835 - 4693 = 8142 (F) · 3191 - 2164 = 1027 (M) · 4943 - 3673 = 1270 (N) · 8526 - 1984 = 6542 (D) · 6625 - 2645 = 3980 (W) · 10151 - 4912 = 5239 (E)
- Clue 4 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "CRIMSON FEATHER DRIFTED NEAR THE ENGINES"8 × 11 = 88 (C) · 5 × 3 = 15 (F) · 2 × 1 = 2 (N) · 3 × 1 = 3 (A) · 11 × 5 = 55 (I) · 1 × 9 = 9 (G) · 7 × 2 = 14 (O) · 9 × 2 = 18 (D) · 6 × 4 = 24 (R) · 10 × 11 = 110 (H) · 5 × 6 = 30 (E) · 10 × 1 = 10 (T) · 7 × 7 = 49 (S) · 2 × 2 = 4 (M)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 8) → Dr. Kristi Curry18 ÷ 3 = 6 · 108 ÷ 9 = 12 · 16 ÷ 8 = 2 · 4 ÷ 4 = 1 · 60 ÷ 6 = 10 · 66 ÷ 6 = 11 · 12 ÷ 4 = 3 · 54 ÷ 6 = 9 · 35 ÷ 7 = 5 · 84 ÷ 12 = 7 · 36 ÷ 9 = 4
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Rounding, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
- Reading level
- grades 7-9
- Theme
- The Cretaceous Reserve Caper — set in The Late Cretaceous Biosphere Reserve
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects