"Uncovering the 286-Million-Year-Old Fossilized Skin of an Unknown Creature"
Researchers have discovered a 286 million-year-old fossilized skin fragment from an unknown creature, making it the oldest known example of epidermis preservation in terrestrial reptiles, birds, and mammals. The skin, found in Oklahoma's Richards Spur limestone cave system, exhibits a pebbled texture resembling modern crocodile skin and provides insights into the evolution of terrestrial vertebrates. Despite its small size, the fossilized skin reveals detailed epidermal tissues characteristic of amniotes, shedding light on the ancient world and its inhabitants.