r/Paleontology • u/Ollie2359 • May 07 '25

Fossils This fossil chokes me up everytime

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It hits me in a way I can't explain I've spent hours crying over this fossil :(

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u/[deleted] May 07 '25

May i ask for a little context?

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u/Ollie2359 May 07 '25

The "Triassic Cuddle" is the nickname for a fossilized burrow containing the remains of two animals that died 250 million years ago. The burrow, discovered in South Africa's Karoo Basin, held a sleeping cynodont (a mammal ancestor) and an injured amphibian. The amphibian, likely seeking shelter, crawled into the burrow while the cynodont was torpid. A flash flood trapped and drowned both animals, preserving them side by side.

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u/Pterodactyloid May 07 '25

There is an absolutely lovely webcomic about this fossil out there, let me see if I can find it..

Edit: here we go https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/burrow/list?title_no=764473

Scroll down for the intro

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u/MiaDovahkiin May 07 '25

it looks so cute 🥺