35,000-Year-Old Saber-Toothed Tiger Kitten Unearthed in Siberian Permafrost with Exceptionally Preserved Whiskers

## Scientists Unveil 35,000-Year-Old Saber-Toothed Cub Mummy in Siberia

Deep within the frigid soil of Siberia’s Arctic permafrost, a mummified cub from the extinct species *Homotherium latidens*—better known as saber-toothed cats—has astonishingly been preserved for over 35,000 years. This remarkable discovery was made by researchers in 2020 along the Badyarikha River, situated in the remote area of Yakutia, northeastern Russia. Thanks to the severe cold environment, the young animal was preserved with an incredible level of detail—its fur, whiskers, claws, and even skin remaining completely intact.

Researchers are celebrating this find as a world first, with the research team releasing their groundbreaking results in the journal *Scientific Reports*. As per the study, the cub was approximately three weeks old at the time of death, although the precise cause remains unidentified. Its condition and unique physical traits provide researchers with unparalleled insights into the anatomy and lifestyle of this long-gone species.

### An Overview of the Ancient Hunter: *Homotherium latidens*

The saber-toothed cats of the genus *Homotherium*, to which this cub is affiliated, were fearsome predators that roamed across Eurasia, Africa, and the Americas during the Late Pleistocene epoch, flourishing in a variety of habitats ranging from icy tundras to more temperate environments. Recognizable by their extraordinarily large canine teeth, these cats utilized their impressive fangs to penetrate the flesh of substantial prey, a notable characteristic that led to their “saber-toothed” name. Unfortunately, the young cub had not yet developed the iconic saber-shaped teeth, which would have emerged later in its development.

Thanks to the cub’s exceptional state of preservation, scientists conducted a radiocarbon analysis on its fur, verifying its incredible age of at least 35,000 years. This remarkably preserved mummified cub serves as a valuable, nearly intact source of genetic and morphological data—offering a novel perspective into the evolution and biology of a prehistoric predator that once roamed the icy wilds.

### Significant Physical Variations Compared to Modern Lions

One intriguing outcome of the study was the comparative analysis with a contemporary lion cub of a similar age. The findings indicated that the *Homotherium* cub showcased striking distinctions. It had a peculiar facial structure, marked by a wide mouth and diminutive ears, as well as a notably sturdier neck region compared to its modern counterparts. The forelimbs were elongated, indicating their significance for hunting and movement.

Moreover, a further notable difference was found in the cub’s paws. They were larger and lacked the small carpal pads, the diminutive foot structures commonly observed in modern lions. These evolutionary adaptations may have permitted the *Homotherium* cub to traverse snowy terrains with greater efficiency, ensuring enhanced traction and mobility during an epoch characterized by severe glaciation and chilling cold.

The discovery also revealed much about the cub’s fur, which was characterized as “short, thick, soft, dark brown fur.” This dense insulation likely shielded it from the frigid temperatures of the Arctic tundra, where *Homotherium latidens* flourished.

### Broadening Our Knowledge of Extinct Species

The preserved cub is not merely an isolated instance of an Ice Age relic—it also provides concrete evidence that the *Homotherium* species, once thought to be limited to specific regions, may have had a much broader range than previously understood. As the researchers highlighted, this finding “significantly broadens the knowledge of the genus’s distribution and affirms its occurrence in the Late Pleistocene of Asia.” This important discovery implies that *Homotherium* populations thrived as far north as Siberia—a region notorious for its harsh climatic conditions.

The scientific study of such well-preserved specimens grants paleontologists an unparalleled chance to explore creatures that lack modern equivalents. For the first time, scientists can analyze flesh and bone instead of incomplete fossil records—a gap that may hopefully lead to a richer understanding of the physiology, behavior, and habitat of saber-toothed cats.

“The finding of *H. latidens* mummy in Yakutia radically expands the understanding of the genus’s distribution and confirms its presence in the Late Pleistocene of Asia,” the authors of the study concluded. Furthermore, as there are no existing species closely resembling this Ice Age predator, this discovery offers biologists a priceless opportunity to grasp what life was like for these beings before their extinction at the conclusion of the Pleistocene period.

### A Window into the Frozen History

The finding of the exceptionally preserved saber-toothed cub in chilly Siberia exemplifies nature’s remarkable freeze-drying abilities. These permafrost areas frequently act as natural time capsules, preserving not only mummified remains but also flora, microorganisms, and