Palaeontologists uncovered part of the creature's fossilised jawbone, complete with five attached teeth, in the 'Mammal Quarry' of the Río de Las Chinas Valley.
A fossil of a skunk-like mammal that lived during the age of dinosaurs has been discovered in Chilean Patagonia, adding further proof to recent evidence that ma
Chilean scientists discover fossil of five-teeth skunk from dinosaur era
A part of the creature s fossilised jawbone with five teeth attached were discovered close to the famous Torres del Paine National Park
Santiago: A fossil of a skunk-like mammal that lived during the age of dinosaurs has been discovered in Chilean Patagonia, adding further proof to recent evidence that mammals roamed that part of South America a lot earlier than previously thought. A part of the creature s fossilised jawbone with five teeth attached were discovered close to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. Christened Orretherium tzen, meaning Beast of Five Teeth in an amalgam of Greek and a local indigenous language, the animal is thought to have lived between 72 and 74 million years ago during the Upper Cretaceous period, at the end of the Mesozoic era, and been a herbivore.
Beast of five teeth: Scientists discover skunk that walked among dinosaurs
Beast of five teeth: Scientists discover skunk that walked among dinosaurs
The animal is named Orretherium tzen, meaning Beast of Five Teeth in an amalgam of Greek and a local indigenous language in Chile. It is believed to be a mammal and is thought to have lived between 72 and 74 million years ago during the Upper Cretaceous period.
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UPDATED: April 10, 2021 16:04 IST
A part of the creature s fossilized jawbone with five teeth attached were discovered close to the famous Torres del Paine national park. (Photo: Reuters)
A fossil of a skunk-like mammal that lived during the age of dinosaurs has been discovered in Chilean Patagonia, adding further proof to recent evidence that mammals roamed that part of South America a lot earlier than previously thought.
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