New Tiger Cat Species Discovered in Bolivia
A Bolivian rescuer found a tiny cat in 2016 that turned out to be a new species, now named Leopardus tilcayo.
The animal, nicknamed Tigrino, is 10 years old, 18 inches long and weighs 3 pounds. It was rescued from a cloud forest road and later identified by scientists after DNA analysis.
This discovery marks the first new felid species found in more than a century and highlights that many subspecies of known cats may still be unrecognized.
The habitat where these cats live faces threats from mining and deforestation, and their small size makes them vulnerable to illegal pet trade. Researchers have installed trail cameras to learn more about their habits.
Key takeaways
- Tigrino, a 10-year-old cat, is the first new felid species discovered in over 100 years.
- The species is officially named Leopardus tilcayo.
- The cats live in a cloud forest area threatened by mining and deforestation.
- Trail cameras are being used to study their behavior.
- The small size of the cats increases their risk of illegal capture.
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Originally reported by Cole & Marmalade. Read the full article.
Cover photo by Cong H via Pexels.
