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Ancient 4.9-Million-Year-Old Flying Squirrel Fossil Discovered

2/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A remarkable discovery at East Tennessee State University has unveiled a 4.9-million-year-old fossil of the giant flying squirrel, Miopetaurista webbi, at the Gray Fossil Site. This ancient creature's journey from Eurasia to North America through the Bering Land Bridge sheds light on its adaptation to the warm Appalachian forests before succumbing to the Ice Ages.

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Story summary

A remarkable discovery at East Tennessee State University has unveiled a 4.9-million-year-old fossil of the giant flying squirrel, Miopetaurista webbi, at the Gray Fossil Site. This ancient creature's journey from Eurasia to North America through the Bering Land Bridge sheds light on its adaptation to the warm Appalachian forests before succumbing to the Ice Ages.