The fossil of a completely new animal--rat-sized and termite eating--that lived when the dinosaurs roamed has been found in Fruita, Colorado, report Reuters and The Associated Press. The critter seems to resemble an armadillo and would have survived by eating bugs.
Officially named Fruitafossor windscheffelia, the animal lived some 150 million years ago and is not related to anything that is alive today. Reuters notes, "Anteaters, armadillos, and other creatures that dig up insects evolved their specialized abilities several times during the history of the world. This is known as convergent evolution."
The mammal had hollow, tube-like teeth that had no enamel and used them to suck in its prey and swallow it whole. Its forelimbs were used for digging, just like today's aardvarks, anteaters, and armadillos, explains AP. It most likely ate termites, other insects, invertebrates, and plants. Termites, just like thier close relative the cockroach, evolved millions of years before Fruitafossor windscheffelia lived. The discovery has been detailed in the journal of Science.
And you know what the cool thing is? One of my friends was on the dig when they found this fossil. They found it in a dry wash.
