A team of paleontologists recently made an exciting discovery of the first mummified saber-tooth cub in history, found in northeast Russia in 2020. The mummy belonged to the Homotherium genus, part of the saber-toothed cat family, and featured well-preserved features such as fur, head, body parts, and bones. The cub’s distinctive features included an unusually-shaped muzzle, large mouth, massive neck, elongated forelimbs, and dark coat color, along with two rows of whiskers and elongated hair. The foot pads and claws were also remarkably well-preserved.
Radiocarbon dating estimated the cub to be 35,000 to 37,000 years old, from the late Pleistocene epoch, also known as the Ice Age. Further research will involve DNA analysis and detailed studies of the cub’s morphological and historical features. Mummified felines are rare due to preservation conditions, with other saber-toothed cub remains being fragmentary.
Members of the Homotherium genus were widespread across Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas during the Plio-Pleistocene period. This discovery provides valuable insight into the ancient saber-toothed cat family, offering a unique glimpse into the life appearance of these remarkable creatures. Scientists are thrilled by this one-of-a-kind rarity and look forward to further discoveries and insights in the field of paleontology.
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