Ancient secrets: Perfectly preserved saber-toothed tiger revealed
Scientists in Russia have made an extraordinary discovery in the northeast of the country: a perfectly preserved body of a saber-toothed tiger cub from 32,000 years ago. Remarkably, the animal even retained its fur.
6:44 PM EST, November 21, 2024
During their research, Russian scientists came across this exceptional find—a small saber-toothed tiger cub, impeccably preserved with its fur intact, which is rare for remains of such age.
The cub, which died at about three weeks old, is so small that it nearly fits in the palm of a hand. Aisen Klimowski from the Academy of Sciences of Yakutia, co-author of a publication on this topic in the journal "Scientific Reports," emphasized that such a well-preserved saber-toothed tiger cub has not been found elsewhere.
Klimowski stated this is the first find that will show the world how they really looked.
In Russia, remains of a saber-toothed tiger discovered
Unlike skeletons found in Texas, the cub’s body was preserved in Russia thanks to the permafrost, which protected its dark brown fur and will confirm the animal's actual appearance.
Scientists discovered the tiger cub's body four years ago while excavating mammoth tusks near the Badyarikha River in Siberia. Yakutia, located by the Arctic Ocean, is a region characterized by wetlands and forests, with approximately 95% of the area covered in permafrost.
Climate change reveals treasures of the past
The rising temperatures linked to climate change are causing significant thawing in Russia, leading to the exposure of animal remains. This year, scientists from Yakutia also studied a recently discovered wolf body from 44,000 years ago.
Saber-toothed tigers appeared on Earth about 4 million years ago and went extinct 12,000 years ago. They inhabited America, Eurasia, and Africa. The discovery in Russia provides valuable insights into these fascinating creatures, mainly because the remains are in excellent condition.
