Ancient Fossil Frogs Unveil the World's First Gingers

Paleontologists at University College Cork have discovered evidence of phaeomelanin, a pigment found in red hair, in a 10 million-year-old frog fossil. This finding will help researchers better understand the color profiles of extinct animals and the evolution of colors in animals. The discovery suggests that red hair gene dates back millions of years and was not exclusive to humans. The study also highlights the potential for exploring biochemical evolution using the fossil record. While red hair was once more common, it now only makes up two percent of the human population, making it the rarest hair color in the world.