Scientists Discover Fossil Evidence of Small Mammals Preying on Dinosaurs
A fossil discovered in China has provided new evidence that small mammals preyed on dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period. The fossil, which captures a deadly encounter between a badger-like mammal and a plant-eating dinosaur, suggests that mammals were capable of taking down much larger creatures than previously thought.
The fossil was found in China’s northeastern Liaoning province, which has been nicknamed the “Chinese Pompeii” due to the abundance of well-preserved dinosaur and animal fossils buried in volcanic debris. The site has provided scientists with unique insights into the ancient ecosystem.
The fossil in question showcases a badger-sized mammal known as Repenomamus robustus sitting on top of a Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis, which stood at 120 centimeters tall. The mammal is shown sinking its sharp teeth into the dinosaur’s ribs and gripping onto its leg. The intertwined position of the two creatures indicates that this was not a case of scavenging, but an active attack by the mammal.
Jordan Mallon, a paleontologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature and co-author of the study, stated that this fossil is the first ever discovered that shows a mammal and dinosaur in combat. He described his initial reaction to the fossil as having his “eyes popped out of [his] head.”
Mammals were traditionally viewed as too small to prey on dinosaurs, which dominated the Earth during the Cretaceous period. However, this new fossil challenges that assumption, suggesting that mammals were more capable and feisty than previously believed. Mallon noted that while it is rare for mammals to hunt animals much larger than themselves, examples in nature such as wolverines hunting far-larger caribou have been observed.
The discovery of this fossil provides valuable insight into the struggle for existence during the Mesozoic era. It demonstrates that small mammals were present and actively hunting, even in the presence of larger dinosaur species. The findings have been published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The fossil is currently on display at a museum in Weihai, China, attached to a primary school. Mallon described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime” fossil due to its significance in understanding the dynamics of prehistoric ecosystems.
Further research and analysis will be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the behavior, hunting habits, and social structure of the Repenomamus species. This fascinating fossil opens up new possibilities for studying the interactions between different species during the era of the dinosaurs and sheds light on the evolutionary history of mammals.