37,000-Year-Old Mummified Saber-Toothed Kitten Discovered in Russian Tundra

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Russian tundra, uncovering the remarkably well-preserved remains of a mummified saber-toothed kitten. The fossil, estimated to be around 37,000 years old, was found encased in a block of ice near the Badyarikha River in the Republic of Sakha, Russia‘s Far East, in 2020.

The mummified carcass belongs to the species Homotherium latidens, a type of saber-toothed cat that went extinct at the end of the Pleistocene period, approximately 12,000 years ago. Radiocarbon dating confirmed the age of the cub, which was about three weeks old when it died. The remains include the head, forelimbs, and the front part of the body, with the head and forelimbs being particularly well-preserved.

The discovery is significant because it provides the first detailed look at the soft tissue anatomy of an extinct mammal with no modern analogues. The kitten’s body is covered with short, thick, soft, dark brown fur, and its lips still bear broken whiskers. The forelimbs retain soft footpads and sharp, curved claws, offering insights into the animal’s adaptations for living in a cold climate.

Comparisons with modern lion cubs of similar age revealed striking morphological differences. The saber-toothed kitten had an unusual shape of the muzzle with a large mouth opening, small ears, an elongated neck region more than twice as thick as a modern lion’s, and elongated forelimbs. These features are classic adaptations to living in cold, snowy environments.

The finding expands our understanding of the distribution of the Homotherium genus in Asia during the Late Pleistocene period. It also highlights the importance of the Siberian permafrost as a repository for ancient biological specimens, including other discoveries such as woolly rhinoceros, mammoths, and cave lions.