Prehistoric Mammals' Dark Fur Was Key to Survival

A discovery about the dark fur of early mammals confirms long-held theories about their evolutionary and ecological behavior.

By Stephanie Edwards
Mar 17, 2025 9:00 PMMar 17, 2025 10:01 PM
Prehistoric Mammal Spinolestes in the Cretaceous-Period Las Hoyas Wetland
This is a reconstruction of the prehistoric mammal Spinolestes in the Cretaceous-period Las Hoyas wetland. This image is not associated with the current study but demonstrates a dark-furred mammal from the Mesozoic Era. (Image Credit: Oscar Sanisidro)

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On both page and screen, we’re used to seeing dinosaurs and prehistoric birds as vibrant creatures exhibiting unique and diverse patterns in color and texture. But what about the mammals roaming the earth alongside them?

In a new study published in Science, an international team of scientists has discovered that early mammals had dark and dull fur, no matter the species. This uniform fur coloring had evolutionary advantages and allowed mammals to avoid becoming prey to their more colorful neighbors. 

A Mesozoic Mammal Find

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