The Siberian ice holds unsuspected secrets. In 2020, an exceptional discovery was made near the Badyarikha River: that of a baby saber-toothed tiger, frozen in time for nearly 36,000 years. A true glimpse into the Ice Age.
This specimen, belonging to the species
Homotherium latidens, exhibits a rare state of conservation. Researchers, in awe, identified dense dark brown fur, front paws still equipped with pads and sharp claws, as well as a jaw with perfectly aligned teeth. This animal, which died at only three weeks old, offers an unprecedented insight into a formidable predator in the making.
A - External appearance of the frozen mummy of [i]Homotherium latidens.
B - Dorsal view of the skeleton via CT scan.[/i]
This is only the second time that remains of this species have been found. The first time, a single mandible was discovered. However, the 2020 discovery is far more impressive: although part of the body is missing, we finally have the first opportunity to see what this animal truly looked like.
The extraordinary preservation of this Siberian "kitten" is due to the unique conditions of permafrost. This permanently frozen ground preserved not only the bones but also soft tissues and morphological details, a rarity for extinct species. According to researchers, its massive neck and elongated limbs demonstrate remarkable adaptation to hunting in a glacial environment.
Radiocarbon analyses dated the existence of this animal to between 35,500 and 37,000 years ago. At that time, Siberia was dominated by a tundra inhabited by large mammals such as mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses. The
Homotherium latidens held a prestigious position at the top of the food chain.
This saber-toothed tiger not only recalls modern lions in its stature. The anatomical differences are striking: a thick upper lip to protect its long canines, smaller ears, and darker fur. These characteristics indicate an evolution specific to this species to withstand the harsh polar climate.
Beyond its appearance, researchers now hope to learn more about the DNA of this species. The extracted genetic material could reveal secrets about the evolution of prehistoric big cats and their interactions with their environment.
The study of this tiger frozen in ice represents a major advance in paleontology. It allows researchers to reconstruct the past with unprecedented precision and to gaze upon, for the first time in millennia, an intact specimen of an extinct animal.
This discovery also raises a broader question: what else do the melting glaciers hold in store for us? As climate change accelerates the thawing of permafrost, other prehistoric treasures may emerge, but their preservation becomes an urgent challenge.
It reminds us of
our article on the recent discovery of a woolly rhinoceros mummy preserved for 32,000 years.
What is a saber-toothed tiger?
The saber-toothed tiger, or
Homotherium latidens, was a large prehistoric feline that disappeared about 10,000 years ago. It belonged to a group of carnivorous species renowned for their long sharp canines, which could measure up to 8 inches (20 cm) long.
These felines lived primarily during the Plio-Pleistocene, between 5 million and 10,000 years ago, and were widely distributed across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They were adapted to varied environments, from savannas to icy tundras.
Unlike modern lions, the saber-toothed tiger had a more compact body, powerful forelimbs to immobilize its prey, and a massive neck. These physical characteristics made it a formidable predator capable of hunting large herbivores.
Despite their popularity in collective imagination, these animals were not directly related to modern tigers. Their extinction remains poorly understood but may be linked to climate changes and the disappearance of their primary prey.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND