Devil’s Corkscrews: Prehistoric Beavers Revealed as Master Creators

Uncover the astonishing truth behind the perplexing Devil’s Corkscrews in Nebraska, and learn how prehistoric beavers played a crucial role in their formation.

The Enigmatic Devil’s Corkscrews of Nebraska

For years, the Devil’s Corkscrews in Nebraska’s Sioux Country puzzled scientists with their intricate spirals and immense size. Measuring up to 15 feet in length and dating back 15 to 30 million years, these peculiar formations were once considered unsolvable mysteries. Comprised of a screw and a massive root, these quartz spirals have left people in awe of their mathematical precision.

Discovery and Initial Theories

The spirals were first found in 1894 during a fossil-hunting expedition in the Badlands of Wyoming and Nebraska’s Rocky Mountains. Dubbed “Daemonelix” by Professor Barbour, these corkscrew fossils quickly gained a sinister reputation as the work of the Devil. While many people speculated about supernatural forces, scientists proposed alternative theories, such as petrified vines or enormous fossilized worms.

The Prehistoric Beavers Behind the Spirals

The truth behind these enigmatic spirals was finally unveiled through further research. The Devil’s Corkscrews were actually created by a prehistoric beaver species known as Palaeocastor. These creatures inhabited the North American Badlands during the late Oligocene period and constructed intricate, corkscrew-shaped burrows.

The Ingenious Burrow System of Palaeocastor

Palaeocastor beavers exhibited remarkable ingenuity in constructing their burrows. They created vertical, spiral tunnels with side nesting chambers and additional compartments for drainage or waste. When these burrows were abandoned, tree roots grew into the spirals and eventually fossilized, leaving behind the fascinating quartz formations we see today.

Witnessing the Devil’s Corkscrews Today

The enigmatic Devil’s Corkscrews can still be observed at the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument on the Niobrara River in northwestern Nebraska, standing as a testament to the extraordinary capabilities of the prehistoric Palaeocastor beavers.