science
Fossilized Droppings Show Ancient Ground Squirrels Ate Mammoth Meat
A new study examined fossilized droppings and found evidence that ancient ground squirrels consumed meat from mammoths, bison, and saber-toothed cats. The findings expand understanding of the animals' diet beyond plant material.
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Fossilized droppings examined in a new study contained fragments indicating that ancient ground squirrels ate meat from mammoths, bison, and saber-toothed cats. The study analyzed preserved feces and identified bone and tissue remains from animals much larger than the squirrels themselves.
The droppings preserved microscopic evidence of the consumed species, allowing identification of specific prey animals. No individuals are named in the study documentation.
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