Scientists Create Adorable 'Woolly Mice' In Their Quest To Revive The Mammoth

March 5, 2025

In a breakthrough that sounds straight out of science fiction, researchers at Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences have successfully created “woolly mice”—tiny, fluffy creatures that carry DNA inspired by the long-extinct woolly mammoth.

While it has been 4,000 years since mammoths roamed the Earth, part of their genetic makeup now exists in these pint-sized rodents, bringing us one step closer to the concept of "de-extinction."

Colossal, a Dallas-based biotech company, is leading the charge in efforts to bring back lost species.

In 2021, the company announced its ambitious plan to resurrect the woolly mammoth using advanced gene-editing technology. This week, they revealed a major milestone—editing seven genes in mouse embryos to create long-haired, thick-furred mice with fat composition similar to that of the mammoth. These adaptations allow the mice to thrive in cold environments, mimicking traits that helped the ancient giants survive icy landscapes.

woolly mice
Colossal Biosciences / Faceboook

Colossal’s ultimate goal is to restore species that once played vital roles in balancing fragile ecosystems. Along with the woolly mammoth, they have also set their sights on bringing back the dodo bird. Whether such efforts will have long-term ecological benefits—or unintended consequences—is still up for debate.

However, this latest development proves that genetic revival is not just theoretical; it’s happening.

See the mice in action below:

Hear what Colossal scientists have to say about the results:

While the debate on de-extinction continues, one thing is undeniable—these little woolly mice are irresistibly cute.

What do you think? Should scientists bring back extinct species, or should nature take its course? Let us know in the comments!