2023-04-25 18:18:47
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Permafrost conserved this sensational find
Gold diggers have discovered an Ice Age ground squirrel in the Yukon, Canada. Researchers have now examined the mummified ball of fur more closely.
published
Paleontologists have unveiled an unusual find from Canada’s Yukon: a mummified ground squirrel around 30,000 years old.
Government of Yukon
This find, which a gold digger made in 2018 in the Canadian Yukon, is a sensation and has now been identified by the researchers as a hibernating ground squirrel.
imago images/VWPics
This species is still widespread in this area today and is often compared to a marmot, which builds underground dwellings for protection and retreat.
imago images/VWPics
Due to global warming and climate change, the permafrost in the Yukon region is thawing more and more, releasing the “treasures” of the soil.
imago images/VWPics
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Gold diggers found Ice Age ground squirrel in Yukon, Canada.
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The researchers assume a very young animal, which probably did not survive the first hibernation.
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The permafrost has preserved the animal well.
Whether this is «Scrat» from the Ice Age universe is, let’s leave it as a funny introduction. X-rays of the mummified ball of fur did not reveal any saber teeth, that much is certain. This find, which a gold digger already discovered in 2018 in the Canadian Yukon made, is still an absolute sensation and has now been identified by the researchers as hibernating ground squirrels.
Palaeontologist Grant Zazula described the brown lump quite clearly at first glance to the news channel CBC. He pointed out small claws, a small tail and even ears even before the little creature from the past came under the X-rays. There everything was then confirmed: A curled up, perfectly preserved gopher from the Ice Age.
Didn’t survive the first hibernation?
The researchers assume a very young animal, which probably did not survive the first hibernation. This species is still widespread in this area today and is often compared to a marmot, which builds underground dwellings for protection and retreat.
The permafrost that still blankets the Yukon gold fields is responsible for many arctic well-preserved finds. However, due to global warming and climate change, the frost is thawing more and more and “treasures” like this ground squirrel will be found more often in the future.
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