In the United States, paleontologists have discovered a fossil of a “swamp dweller” from the age of dinosaurs. The remains of this ancient mammal were unearthed in the town of Rangeley, Colorado.
This mammal was about the size of a ground rat and may have been running through the swamps of Colorado about 70-75 million years ago. Thanks to this, researchers have an idea of the diverse ecosystem that existed in the state during the Late Cretaceous period.
The scientists conducted a study of the fossils and identified a new species, which they named Heleocola piceanus. This discovery is significant, because mammals from this period are quite rare in Colorado, they report Noi.md with reference to .
Scientists noted that during the Late Cretaceous period, the planet was inhabited by dinosaurs, including tyrannosaurs and the horned ancestors of triceratops.
Compared to these giants, the creature recently discovered by researchers was relatively small. However, scientists believe that, for mammals of the time, Heleocola piceanus was very large.
