35,000-Year-Old Saber-Toothed Cub Found Preserved in Siberia

The exceptionally well-preserved remains offer new insights into the anatomy and lifestyle of the extinct Homotherium latidens species.

The mummified cub was discovered in 2020 in the Siberian permafrost near the Badyarikha River and is estimated to be between 35,500 to 37,000 years old.
The cub, belonging to the extinct species Homotherium latidens, was about three weeks old at the time of its death, with remarkably intact whiskers and claws.
Researchers noted unique anatomical features such as a thicker neck, smaller ears, and longer forelimbs compared to modern lion cubs, indicating adaptations to cold climates.
The discovery marks the first time that the appearance of an extinct mammal without modern analogs has been directly studied, providing a rare glimpse into prehistoric ecosystems.
The find adds to the understanding of the distribution of saber-toothed cats during the late Pleistocene and their evolutionary distinctiveness.