A Virtual Tour of the NMNH: Fossil Mammals
Oligocene Mammals
Protosciurus: 37-23 Million Years Old


37-23 million years old
Fossils of some of the first squirrels, rabbits, dogs, and beavers are on display, in front of a mural of their world. Protosciurus is the oldest-known member of the squirrel family, yet its bones are very similar to those of a living tree squirrel. In fact, you wouldn't notice anything strange if a Protosciurus scampered up a tree right now. The animals shown in this display lived in North America at a time when grasslands were just getting a start and woodlands were widespread.


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