Well-Preserved Woolly Rhino Found in Russian Permafrost #

Scientists have discovered a remarkably well-preserved woolly rhino in the Russian permafrost, dating back over 32,000 years. The specimen’s skin and fur remain intact, providing researchers with valuable insights into this extinct species.

The woolly rhino, which died at approximately four years old, offers a rare opportunity for scientists to study the animal’s physical characteristics in detail. Such well-preserved specimens from the Ice Age are extremely uncommon, with most discoveries limited to bones and teeth.

The study revealed several interesting features of the woolly rhino:

1. A large fatty hump on its back
2. Fur that changed color as the animal aged
3. Two horns, including a unique, large blade-shaped horn

During the Ice Age, woolly rhinos were among the largest herbivores in their ecosystem, second only to woolly mammoths. They grazed on grasslands in eastern Siberia more than 30,000 years ago.

The remains were discovered in August 2020 on the banks of the Tirekhtyakh River. After the discovery, scientists temporarily defrosted the specimen to take samples of fur, skin, and the hump for testing. While the right side of the rhino was well-preserved, the left side showed significant damage, likely from predators.

The fatty hump on the rhino’s back, measuring up to 13 centimeters (five inches), was likely used for energy storage and heat conversion during harsh winters. This feature is common among Arctic animals.

By comparing this specimen with others of different ages, researchers concluded that young woolly rhinos had light, even blonde, hair that darkened and became coarser as they matured. The discovered rhino had light brown fur with a lighter, softer layer underneath.

Such well-preserved specimens are crucial for future research, as they allow for genetic tests that can only be conducted on tissue rather than bones.