Scientists Discover New Cat Species for the First Time in 100 Years (7 Photos + 2 Videos)
Category: Animals
Yesterday, 17:01
The first specimen of the species was spotted in Bolivia back in 2016, but researchers initially mistook it for a known tiger cat. After noticing distinct physical differences, experts conducted genetic testing, confirming they were looking at an entirely separate, previously undescribed species. 
Leopardus tilcayo
inhabits the montane forests of the Yungas region in Bolivia. Measuring around 46 cm in length and weighing roughly 1.4 kg, it is actually smaller than a typical house cat.
Genetic analysis revealed that the
tilcayo
evolutionary lineage split from its closest relatives approximately 1.4 million years ago.
The study confirms that this is indeed a brand-new, living species of feline.
