Ancient Saber-Toothed Kitten Mummy Offers New Insights

Researchers study a 35,000-year-old mummified saber-toothed kitten, revealing unique adaptations for cold climates.

The mummified remains of a saber-toothed kitten, estimated to be 35,000 years old, were discovered in Siberian permafrost in 2020.
The specimen, belonging to the Homotherium latidens species, provides the first direct study of an extinct mammal's appearance with no modern analogues.
Significant differences from modern lion cubs include a larger mouth opening, small ears, a massive neck, and elongated forelimbs.
The kitten's adaptations, such as wide paws and lack of carpal pads, suggest it was well-suited for cold environments.
This discovery expands the known distribution of the Homotherium genus, confirming its presence in the Late Pleistocene of Asia.