Siberian permafrost unveils 32,000-year-old saber-tooth cub

Russian scientists made an extraordinary discovery in the northeast of the country. During their research, they discovered a perfectly preserved body of a small saber-toothed tiger cub from 32,000 years ago. The find is exceptional because the animal's fur has been preserved, which is rare for remains of such antiquity.

The tiger cub died at about three weeks old and is so small that it almost fits in the palm of a hand. Aisen Klimowski from the Academy of Sciences of Yakutia, co-author of the publication on this topic in the magazine "Scientific Reports," emphasized that no such well-preserved tiger cub has been found anywhere else.

Klimowski stated that this is the first find that will show the world how they truly looked.

Unlike the skeletons found in Texas, the tiger cub’s body in Russia was preserved thanks to the permafrost, which protected its dark brown fur. This will reveal the actual appearance of this animal.

Scientists found the tiger cub's body four years ago while excavating mammoth tusks near the Badyarikha River in Siberia. Yakutia, located near the Arctic Ocean, is an area dominated by wetlands and forests. About 95% of this region is covered in permafrost.

The rise in temperatures associated with climate change is causing significant areas in Russia to thaw, resulting in 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 first appeared on Earth about 4 million years ago and went extinct around 12,000 years ago. They inhabited regions in America, Eurasia, and Africa. The find in Russia provides invaluable information about these fascinating creatures, primarily because the remains are in excellent condition.