Burrowing mammals dig for a living, but how do they do that?

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University of Oregon researcher Samantha Hopkins shown with stuffed animals in her office studies the evolution of mammals who burrow. Credit: Photo by Jim Barlow
University of Oregon researcher Samantha Hopkins, shown with stuffed animals in her office, studies the evolution of mammals who burrow. Credit: Photo by Jim Barlow

Next time you see a mole digging in tree-root-filled soil in search of supper, take a moment to ponder the mammal's humerus bones. When seen in the lab, they are nothing like the long upper arm bones of any other mammal, says Samantha Hopkins, a paleontologist at the University of Oregon.


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All News summaries for October 28, 2007

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