Homotherium latidens was in between 1.5 and 2 m in length, approximately 1.1 m in height, and weighed as much as 200 kg– about the typical size of a modern-day lion or tiger.

Its physical look varied from other huge felines: the extinct types had long saber-like dogs, a sloping back, and a brief tail.

Homotherium was prevalent in the Plio-Pleistocene of Eurasia, Africa, and Americas, “stated lead author Dr. Alexey Lopatin and his associates.

“For a long period of time, the current existence of Homotherium in Eurasia was taped in the Middle Pleistocene.”

“A substantial occasion was the discovery of the mandible of the Late Pleistocene Homotherium latidens from the North Sea, which is dated to 28,000 years earlier.”

“The biggest variety of Late Pleistocene finds of Homotherium is focused in North America (more than 30 areas), where they generally categorized in the types Homotherium serum“

In their brand-new research study, the authors analyzed the frozen mummified carcass of a Homotherium latidens cub discovered in the Pleistocene permafrost at the area of Badyarikhskoe on the Badyarikha River in the northeast of Yakutia, Siberia.

“The various bones of massive animals agents are gathered from the loess-like loams of the Yedoma horizon in this region,” they stated.

According to the scientists, the Badyarikha specimen is roughly 36,000 years of ages.

“The specimen consists of the head and the anterior part of the body protected roughly to the caudal edge of the chest,” they stated.

“There are likewise insufficient pelvic bones articulated with the thigh and shin bones.”

“They were discovered enclosed in a piece of ice together with the front part of the cub.”

The group’s analysis reveals that the majority of the postcranial functions of Homotherium latidens can be traced currently at the age of 3 weeks.

“The length of the maintained part of the Homotherium cub body from the nose suggestion to the space in the chest area (at the level of the 12th vertebra) is 248 mm,” the researchers stated.

“The body is covered with brief, thick, soft, dark brown fur with hair about 20-30 mm long. The fur on the back and neck is longer than on the legs.”

“On the upper lip 2 rows of vibrissae are plainly noticeable, mainly broken off at a height of 3-5 mm from the roots.”

“In the area of the mouth corner, the hair is substantially extended.”

“The basic morphology of the skull is common of a juvenile felid,” they included.

“The skull is likewise differentiated by a reasonably longer facial area, a rounded braincase, broadened zygomatic arches, a broad location of premaxillaries, and big upper deciduous incisors.”

“The nasal bones of the Homotherium cub compared to a lion cub are significantly reduced and broadened.”

“The neck is longer and more than two times as thick as that of a lion,” they stated.

“The distinction in density is described by the big volume of muscles, which is aesthetically observed at the website of separation of the skin from the mummified flesh.”

“The length of the forelimbs in the Homotherium cub is 18-23% higher than that in the lion cub.”

“At the very same time, the body length of the latter amounts to the measurement of Homotherium or surpasses it by roughly 10%.”

“The increased size of the oral crack suggests for broad mouth gape adjustment.”

“The front paw of the Homotherium cub has a rounded shape. Its width is nearly equivalent to its length, in contrast to lion cubs with their extended and fairly narrow front paw.”

“All claws are sharp and highly curved. In sample, the claws are laterally compressed and have the very same shape as in the lion cub.”

“The broad paw, the subsquare shape of its pads, and the lack of a carpal pad are adjustments to strolling in snow and low temperature levels.”

“The little, low auricles and lack of the carpal pad in the Badyarikha Homotherium contrast with the taller auricles and generally established pads in the lion cub. All these functions can be analyzed as adjustments to residing in cold environment.”

The discovery of a Homotherium latidens cub significantly broadens the understanding of circulation of the genus and validates its existence in the Late Pleistocene of Asia.

“For the very first time in the history of paleontological research study, the external look of an extinct mammal that has no analogues in the contemporary animals has actually been studied straight,” the authors concluded.

Their paper was released today in the journal Scientific Reports

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A.V. Lopatin et al2024. Mummy of a juvenile sabre-toothed feline Homotherium latidens from the Upper Pleistocene of Siberia. Sci Rep 14, 28016; doi: 10.1038/ s41598-024-79546-1