Colossal Biosciences Edges Closer To Reviving The Woolly Mammoth With "Woolly Mice"
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
Alignment
Colossal Biosciences is on a quest to bring back the woolly mammoth. On March 1, 2025, the Texas-based startup came one step closer to its goal with the creation of genetically-modified "woolly mice." Featuring thick, golden fur and curled whiskers, the rodents have characteristics similar to those of the woolly mammoth.
The team, led by Beth Shapiro, started by finding the genes that made mammoths unique. To do this, they compared ancient mammoth DNA to that of African and Asian elephants, their closest living relatives. Key differences included genes linked to long, woolly hair and fat metabolism. Both were crucial for surviving the cold weather. Next, they searched for similar genes in mice that affect things like coat thickness, color, and fat storage.
The team then used gene-editing tools to modify seven genes in mice. Six were related to hair growth, texture, and metabolism. The result? Adorable mice with thick, woolly coats. These rodents also developed fat deposits similar to those that helped mammoths endure frigid weather. However, it is unclear whether they can withstand cold better than regular mice. The scientists plan to test this in the coming months.
The woolly mice are a great start to the company's goal of reviving the woolly mammoth, but many challenges remain. While the gene-editing tools worked on mice, they are not advanced enough to work on elephants. For example, unlike rodents, elephants have sparse hair. This will make it much more difficult to genetically modify them for a woolly coat.
Critics argue that even if Colossal succeeds, the result will not be a true woolly mammoth. Instead, it would be a modified elephant with mammoth-like traits. Whether the company's vision becomes a reality remains to be seen. For now, creating woolly mice is an exciting milestone.
"For us, it's an incredibly big deal," Shapiro said.
Resources: NPR.com, Livescience.com, Colossal.com
Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
50 Comments
ocicatpacific7 daysAAAAHHH SO CUTE!!! I want one as a pet!!
zudufiwa-1730376216287 daysthey are so adorebleee
annel6 daysyeah totally
spreadthelulz8 daysThey look adorable, but also a little weird. I wonder what animal might be modified next(30th comment yay)
i_love_kuromi9 daysOmgg they are so cute I want one as a pet 😭- annel6 daysMe too
852128sophie9 daysSo adorable!!!!!!!! Ilove furry animals!- annel6 dayssame
lijadutibawu10 daysWow!- noconisymage11 daysI want one so bad!
doggiechristmas11 daysThey're very cute (minus the tail, I've always hated the tail), but I feel bad about the testing. I'm vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian, but I've never liked the idea of these kinds of tests on animals. We don't NEED wooly mammoths again (mice, in this case). I can't do anything about it though.- annel6 daysI agree with you a bit, but why do you hate the tail? The tail is so cute
- spreadthelulz8 dayshmm I agree with doggiechristmas, I feel a bit bad about how people use hamsters/rats for testing(in general) new ideas. I hope it doesn't harm the mice for their DNA to be modified :(
- ocicatpacific7 daysit doesnt so far it just makes their fur grow alot :)
victoria_wise11 daysI agree that if an animal is extinct, it's because the environment can no longer support its survival. I don't think it's a good idea to try to bring back an animal that has been extinct for 4,000 years. No offense meant! (I am a vegetarian by the way)
vofocawuwilu11 daysso cute
dragonyear202511 daysWOW! I can't believe this! Their inching closer and closer to The Woolly Mammoth!!!
