In fact, a 2015 study found evidence of lice on a 99-million-year-old feather from a bird-like dinosaur called Sinosauropteryx prima. The lice were tiny, measuring just 0.5 millimeters in length. They had long, slender bodies and six legs.
The researchers believe that the lice lived on the Sinosauropteryx's feathers, where they fed on its blood. They say that the lice were likely similar to the lice that live on modern birds.
The discovery of lice on Sinosauropteryx suggests that lice may have been around even longer than we thought. It also provides new evidence about the evolution of lice and their hosts.
Here are some additional facts about lice:
* Lice are wingless insects that belong to the order Phthiraptera.
* There are over 5,000 known species of lice.
* Lice can live on humans, animals, and birds.
* Lice feed on blood by piercing the skin of their host.
* Lice can cause itching, irritation, and even skin infections.
* Lice can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
