No, a body fossil and a cast fossil are not the same thing.
A body fossil refers to the physical remains of an organism, such as bones, teeth, shells, or any other hard parts that have been preserved over time. These fossils provide direct evidence of the organism's structure and can help scientists understand its biology and ecology.
A cast fossil, on the other hand, is a type of fossil that forms when an organism's remains (like a body fossil) are buried and then dissolve, leaving behind a cavity. If this cavity fills with sediment or minerals that harden, it creates a cast of the original organism. Essentially, a cast fossil represents the shape of the organism rather than its actual remains.
In summary, while body fossils involve the actual remains of an organism, cast fossils are impressions or molds created from those remains after they have decayed.