A mummified ice age cub discovered in Siberia is exceptionally preserved, providing the first view of what sabre-toothed cats looked like and clues about their hunting style.

In 2020, prospectors seeking mammoth tusks in eastern Siberia found a bundle of fur protruding from the icy bank of the Badyarikha River. The diggers knew they were looking at something rare: the Ice Age mummy of a cat cub.

The frozen cub was about 3 weeks old with brown fur and broad paws for walking on snow. The first of its kind study showed “significant differences” to a baby lion.

Scientists have discovered a mummified saber-toothed kitten in Siberia. The cold, dry conditions preserved the three-week-old cub perfectly.