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Scientists have discovered the origins of the world's first redheads - and it's not what you might expect.

Experts say that they've found evidence of a ginger pigment found in red hair... in ancient frogs.

The fossils date back around 10 million years.

Researchers say the discovery could help them better understand the evolution of colours in animals.

Palaeontologists at University College Cork in Ireland worked with an international team of scientists to make the discovery.

They looked at frog fossils, dating back around 10 million years, and noticed that they contained phaeomelanin - a pigment found in red hair.

Scientists say it's the earliest record of the pigment that's ever been found.

Dr Tiffany Slater, who led the study, explained that the discovery could help experts get a better idea of the original colours of other extinct organisms.

She said: "This finding is so exciting because it puts palaeontologists in a better place to detect different melanin pigments in many more fossils.

"This will paint a more accurate picture of ancient animal colour and will answer important questions about the evolution of colours in animals."