Science & Discovery · Livescience · Friday, October 9, 2026
New fossil work describes a small semiaquatic mammal relative with a broad tail, long feet and unusual anatomy.
Thumbnail source ↗An illustration of a brown four-legged mammal floating in a river.
Megacauda sungei lived around 165 million years ago and combined a broad swimming tail, long hind feet and robust teeth in a body roughly the size of a small dog.
Researchers say some anatomical features may shift the timeline for mammal-like feeding capabilities. It is a reminder that evolution produced a remarkable variety of experimental body plans.
Action: look at the reconstruction and imagine the balance and movement challenges as a small 3D modeling exercise.
