For a long time, we didn’t know, but now they must finally show their true colors: early mammals had dark brown fur. This discovery was made by an international team of researchers, including Liliana D’alba from Naturalis Biodiversity Center. By studying six different fossils, they were able to identify the colors that mammals must have had during the age of the dinosaurs.
Dressedin dark shades
While some dinosaurs had beautiful, colorful feathers, mammals looked far less vibrant. Dark brown shades were the only colors their fur had for a long time. The researchers analyzed six different fossils, dating from 165 to 100 million years ago, and found that they all had a similar, uniform color. In these fossils, they examined melanosomes—microscopic cell structures that contain melanin and determine the color of skin, fur, and feathers. The researchers mainly found the type that contributes to brown and black shades and could even determine that dark brown tones were the most prominent. The results are published in this week’s issue of Science magazine.
Fur got colorafter the dinos were gone
It was already known that early mammals had many traits of nocturnal animals, such as large eyes and enhanced senses of smell, and the discovered fur color fits perfectly into that picture. Even today, we see that nocturnal animals often have a dark, uniform skin or coat. There is a strong suspicion that mammals only began developing interesting fur colors and patterns after the extinction of the dinosaurs—and then, things progressed rapidly. “Today, mammals come in a wide range of colors, but their coloration isn’t just for looks. It helps them survive by controlling body heat, blending into their surroundings, and attracting mates. By studying the appearance of early mammals, we can learn more about their lives and how today’s diversity began.” explains researcher Liliana D’Alba from Naturalis.
Newold mammal species
The researchers have also discovered a new prehistoric mammal: Arboroharamiya fuscus, with "fuscus" referring to its dark fur color. It was a small, squirrel-like mammal that resembled the modern flying squirrel. Its fossil had an exceptionally well-preserved coat, making it ideal for analysis.
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