Mummy of 35,000-Year-Old Saber-Toothed Kitten Found Frozen in Siberia

Mar. 15, 2025

Saber-Toothed Kitten.Photo:Lopatin et al./Scientific Reports

Lopatin et al./Scientific Reports

A 35,000-year-old saber-toothed cub was in a nearly perfect preserved condition in Russia’s northeastern Sakha Republic in 2020.A new journalScientific Reportsstudy, which was published on Thursday, Nov. 14, revealed that the carcass of the ancient cat was found mummified in the permafrost. The kitten’s cause of death is unknown.The animal was just three weeks old when it died, and still had whiskers and claws attached when it was pulled out of the permafrost. The cat was covered in a coat of “short, thick, soft, dark brown fur,” that was approximately 20 to 30 millimeters long. Radiocarbon dating of the kitten’s fur indicates that the animal must have been buried a minimum of 35,000 years ago.The animal had a massive neck region, an unusual muzzle shape, a massive mouth opening and elongated forelimbs. As a result, this is the “first time in the history of paleontology, the appearance of an extinct mammal that has no analogues in the modern fauna has been studied.” This is the first time scientists have been able to describe this species, Homotherium latidens, physical characteristics.Upon evaluation, scientists discovered that the saber-toothed kitten had wider paws but no carpal pads. Carpal pads act as shock absorbers on the wrist joint for present-day lion cubs, perLiveScience. It’s hypothesized that the animals’ lack of carpal pads likely aided the saber-toothed cat walk over thick snow.Saber-Toothed Kitten.Lopatin et al./Scientific ReportsSaber-toothed cats come from the Homotherium genus. They are known for their canine teeth, which stuck out of their mouths to help grab and kill prey. Scientists hypothesize that the animals went extinct during the last Ice Age — about 12,000 years ago, during the end of the Pleistocene period.The species were found across several continents, including Eurasia, Africa, and both South and North America.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.This is not the first time researchers have found a well-preserved ancient animal in the Siberian region. The region’s cold and dry conditions have made it ideal for fossils to remain preserved.After the 2020 discovery, in June 2024, scientists revealed they completed the autopsy of a 32,000-year-old mummified wolf from the last Ice Age, perLive Science. Then, in August 2024, gold miners found a woolly rhinoceros that still had a horn attached to its body, per theSmithsonian Magazine.Like the kitten, both were also found in the Siberian permafrost.

A 35,000-year-old saber-toothed cub was in a nearly perfect preserved condition in Russia’s northeastern Sakha Republic in 2020.

A new journalScientific Reportsstudy, which was published on Thursday, Nov. 14, revealed that the carcass of the ancient cat was found mummified in the permafrost. The kitten’s cause of death is unknown.

The animal was just three weeks old when it died, and still had whiskers and claws attached when it was pulled out of the permafrost. The cat was covered in a coat of “short, thick, soft, dark brown fur,” that was approximately 20 to 30 millimeters long. Radiocarbon dating of the kitten’s fur indicates that the animal must have been buried a minimum of 35,000 years ago.

The animal had a massive neck region, an unusual muzzle shape, a massive mouth opening and elongated forelimbs. As a result, this is the “first time in the history of paleontology, the appearance of an extinct mammal that has no analogues in the modern fauna has been studied.” This is the first time scientists have been able to describe this species, Homotherium latidens, physical characteristics.

Upon evaluation, scientists discovered that the saber-toothed kitten had wider paws but no carpal pads. Carpal pads act as shock absorbers on the wrist joint for present-day lion cubs, perLiveScience. It’s hypothesized that the animals’ lack of carpal pads likely aided the saber-toothed cat walk over thick snow.

Saber-Toothed Kitten.Lopatin et al./Scientific Reports

Saber-toothed cats come from the Homotherium genus. They are known for their canine teeth, which stuck out of their mouths to help grab and kill prey. Scientists hypothesize that the animals went extinct during the last Ice Age — about 12,000 years ago, during the end of the Pleistocene period.

The species were found across several continents, including Eurasia, Africa, and both South and North America.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

This is not the first time researchers have found a well-preserved ancient animal in the Siberian region. The region’s cold and dry conditions have made it ideal for fossils to remain preserved.

After the 2020 discovery, in June 2024, scientists revealed they completed the autopsy of a 32,000-year-old mummified wolf from the last Ice Age, perLive Science. Then, in August 2024, gold miners found a woolly rhinoceros that still had a horn attached to its body, per theSmithsonian Magazine.Like the kitten, both were also found in the Siberian permafrost.

source: people.com