--- title: "Fossilized Remains of Ancient Mammal Unearthed in Inner Mongolia" url: https://newscentral.site/fossilized-remains-of-ancient-mammal-unearthed-in-inner-mongolia/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-10-07T17:16:58.000Z updated: 2026-10-08T08:34:35.132Z id: 22111611-515b-4aa1-8355-1a2741e96582 source: "Live Science https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/it-looks-like-a-chimera-168-million-years-ago-a-strange-platypus-like-mammal-relative-lived-in-china-alongside-dinosaurs" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/fossilized-remains-of-ancient-mammal-unearthed-in-inner-mongolia/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Fossilized Remains of Ancient Mammal Unearthed in Inner Mongolia A remarkable discovery has been made in Inner Mongolia, China, where the fossilized remains of an ancient mammal have been unearthed. The creature, which lived around 168 million years ago during the mid-Jurassic period, is unlike any other known mammal relative from that era. The animal, named Megacauda sungei, was a large predator that roamed the freshwater lakes and rivers of what is now Inner Mongolia in search of salamanders to hunt. Its size is notable, as it weighed around 2.2 to 4.4 pounds, making it one of the largest known mammal relatives from the Jurassic period. The discovery of Megacauda sungei's fossilized remains in 2016 has provided valuable insights into its physical characteristics. The animal had a broad, flattened tail that suggests it was well-suited for swimming, as well as short hind legs with relatively long feet. This unique combination of features sets it apart from other known mammal relatives. The finding has sparked interest among researchers, who are eager to learn more about the habits and habitats of this ancient creature. As one of the earliest known mammal-type animals to live a semiaquatic life, Megacauda sungei offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary history of mammals during the Jurassic period. The fossil remains of Megacauda sungei have revealed an intriguing mix of characteristics that set it apart from modern mammals. While its back half and limbs bear a striking resemblance to those of a platypus, capable of swimming or digging tunnels in river banks. However, the teeth of M. sungei are distinctly different from those of the platypus. Robust canines and shearing cheek-teeth suggest that this ancient mammal had a unique way of cutting and chewing meat compared to modern carnivorous mammals. Further evidence of its dietary habits comes from tiny bits of vertebrate bones found in its stomach and surrounding fossil beds, hinting at a diet rich in salamanders. This discovery provides insight into the feeding behavior of M. sungei. In addition to its unusual teeth, M. sungei may have also had a specialized way of consuming food. The animal likely sheltered in burrows on land in the temperate climate, where it could hunt for fish and invertebrates in nearby lakes and rivers. The fossil's throat structure is another notable feature, with a unique arrangement of hyoid bones that differs from those found in modern mammals, including humans. This distinct anatomy may have enabled M. sungei to swallow food or prey in a way that was different from its modern counterparts. The discovery of M. sungei has shed new light on the evolution of mammals and their ability to nurse their young. Researchers believe that this ancient mammal had the necessary structures to suckle milk from its mother, a trait previously thought to be exclusive to advanced mammals. According to study co-author Thomas Martin, the presence of these suckling apparatus suggests that early mammals were capable of diversifying into various dietary groups. The finding also implies that the ability to swallow food in a unique way had already evolved by the Middle Jurassic period, around 174 million years ago. This discovery pushes back the history of neonatal suckling behavior to at least 165 million years ago. The newly discovered fossil, M. sungei, has shed light on the diverse range of habitats that docodonts inhabited during the Jurassic period. These ancient relatives of mammals lived alongside dinosaurs and were found in various environments, including terrestrial, arboreal, and aquatic settings. For instance, some docodonts, such as Microdocodon gracilis, roamed through trees, while others, like Docofossor brachydactylus, dug tunnels using their shovel-like paws. The discovery of M. sungei in China suggests that docodonts were widespread during the dinosaur-dominated era. Tim Flannery, a mammalogist at the Australian Museum Research institute, notes that aquatic lifestyles often emerged in early mammal-like species. A strange platypus-like mammal relative lived in China during the Jurassic period, around 168 million years ago. This creature likely had a unique set of features that allowed it to thrive alongside dinosaurs. Its discovery suggests that aquatic lifestyles may have emerged early on in the evolution of mammals. The presence of such an unusual animal in ancient China highlights the diversity of life on Earth during this time period. The fact that it coexisted with dinosaurs underscores the complexity and richness of ecosystems from the Mesozoic era. --- Source: [Live Science](https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/it-looks-like-a-chimera-168-million-years-ago-a-strange-platypus-like-mammal-relative-lived-in-china-alongside-dinosaurs) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/fossilized-remains-of-ancient-mammal-unearthed-in-inner-mongolia/