A 125-million-year-old fossil has been found with fully intact skin cells, according to detikInet. The remains belong to a dinosaur that researchers describe as resembling a hedgehog due to its spiky appearance.
The discovery was reported by detikInet on Sunday, August 2, 2026. The fossil preserves complete skin cells, a rare find that offers a detailed look at the dinosaur's outer layer. The creature has been identified as Haolong dongi, a young dinosaur, according to the outlet.
Beyond the skin cells, the fossil also reveals hollow spines, as noted in coverage from publika.id. These hollow structures likely contributed to the hedgehog-like look of the animal. The preservation of soft tissue such as skin cells in a fossil this old is highly unusual, making the specimen significant for researchers studying dinosaur biology.
The findings were also echoed by achmadnurhidayat.id, which highlighted the intact skin cells of the juvenile Haolong dongi. While the full details of the study have not been released, the fossil offers a rare window into the physical characteristics of this species, including its texture and defensive features.
Researchers will likely continue to analyze the fossil to learn more about how these skin cells and spines functioned in life. Future studies may also clarify how such delicate tissue survived for over a hundred million years.
For now, the fossil stands as a notable example of how much detail can be preserved in ancient remains, according to the reports from detikInet and other outlets covering the discovery.
