Hum Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 As suggested in the "Ice Age" movies, some crazy-looking creatures roamed the planet millions of years ago. But there is a large gap in the fossil record from about 60 million to 120 million years ago when it comes to mammals in South America. Where were they, and what did they look like? Scientists have now discovered a quirky little creature from this time period, as reported in the journal Nature. It's called Cronopio dentiacutus, and it resembles a mouse-sized squirrel with proportionally long teeth, although technically speaking it is neither a squirrel nor saber-toothed. The extinct mammal, which lived 94 million years ago, belongs to the lineage that has given rise to the marsupials and placental mammals that we know today. It's related to all living mammals, including humans in a remote way. It has been extinct for about 60 million years. Rougier and colleagues examined its unique skull. "It was a lot more primitive than we are with regard to the way in which the skull was put together; the teeth were very primitive," Rougier said. "The skull is about an inch long." Scientists believe was Cronopio dentiacutus was an insectivore, which is common for small animals today. Their teeth seem to be specialized for cutting and crushing; the large canines of Cronopio dentiacutus could puncture through small insects. To give you some perspective on the size of these canines, imagine if one of your front teeth came down below your chin, Rougier said. Coronpio dentiacutus lived at the same time as small carnivorous dinosaurs, terrestrial crocodiles and snakes with legs. It inhabited the flood plains of Argentina that is now a desert area in Patagonia, where people live on subsistence farming. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I almost busted a gut watching the first few minutes of Scrat in Ice Age Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted November 4, 2011 Member Share Posted November 4, 2011 ^ Me too. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey B. Veteran Posted November 4, 2011 Veteran Share Posted November 4, 2011 I think it is safe to say everyone thought of scrat lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Poster Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 I think it is safe to say everyone thought of scrat lol actually i just thought of a kitten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo003 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Not exactly a material for a PG Movie. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeta_immersion Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 so we do come from squirrels .... excellent, my theory is commig to fruit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AltecXP Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 so we do come from squirrels .... excellent, my theory is commig to fruit You mean fruition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeta_immersion Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 You mean fruition? yesssss, excellent... you shall be my squirrel lieutenant and as such I give you this yummy chestnut or a ladybug, whatever you prefer my toothed friend muhahhaa, we shall take over the world, the 1" skull and the brain inside it will develop into a more massive brain and we .... (a little tear comes out) ... we shall conquer Sparta my friend *on a serious note I meant fruition, and also, would be interesting to find more fossils to at least understand the development and/or the onset of some fundamental changes that have happened for us/everything to evolve to this point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 so we do come from squirrels .... excellent, my theory is commig to fruit So that explains many of the nutty people around here. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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