Scientists have discovered a 52 million year old fossil of a hedgehog roughly 2 inches long in British Columbia. Dubbed Silvacola acares, which means "tiny forest dweller," the size of the hedgehog was so insignificant that researchers ended up leaving him partially encased in fossil to avoid breaking any part of his body.
Researchers did a micro-CT scan on his skull to determine what type of animal he was, and realized quickly that they had discovered a new species and possibly a new genus, reports the LA Times.
Silvacola acares appears to have lived within the early Eocene area, which is one of the warmest periods of time since the time of dinosaurs. British Columbia would have been covered with a unique rainforest, and the average temperature would have been about 50-60 Fahrenheit. Although not much more is known about that time period, more discoveries of animals within that time period are happening each year, reports the Escapist.
"These new mammals fill out our picture of this environment," said David Greenwood, one of the authors of the new study detailing the recent fossil discovery, in a statement to UPI Science News. He and other researchers are excited about other treasures that may still be unearthed in Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, where the little guy was originally found.