Hum Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Camels are well known for their ability to survive the hot and dry conditions of the desert, but a study suggests they once thrived in colder climes. Scientists have unearthed the fossilised remains of a giant species of camel in Canada's High Arctic. An analysis of protein found in the bones has revealed that this creature, which lived about 3.5 million years ago, is an ancestor of today's species. The research is published in the journal Nature Communications. Dr Mike Buckley, an author of the paper from the University of Manchester, said: "What's interesting about this story is the location: this is the northernmost evidence of camels." The mid-Pliocene Epoch was a warm period of the Earth's history - but surviving in the Arctic would have still been tough. The ancient camels would have had to cope with long and harsh winters, with temperatures plunging well below freezing. There would have been snow storms and months of perpetual darkness. Nonetheless, at this time, the polar region would have been covered in forest. Over the course of three expeditions, which began in 2006, researchers from the Canadian Museum of Nature collected 30 fragments of fossilised leg bone from Ellesmere Island in Canada. Their size suggested that the animal was about 30% larger that today's camels, measuring about 2.7m from foot to shoulder. Despite its bulk, the researchers believe it would have been similar in appearance - although it probably had a shaggier coat to stay warm. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted March 9, 2013 Member Share Posted March 9, 2013 Maybe those regions were much warmer in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted March 9, 2013 MVC Share Posted March 9, 2013 Wow, 3.5 MILLION YEARS and to think computers are only how old? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted March 10, 2013 Author Share Posted March 10, 2013 Sounds questionable. They found a few bone fragments on one small island. Maybe it just washed up on shore from some other continent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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