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Scientists have unearthed a cache of mummified cheetah remains in a cave in northern Saudi Arabia. The discovery included seven mummies and the bones of 54 other cheetahs found at a site near the city of Arar.
These ancient big cats date back to over 130 to 1,800 years ago. Mummification is a process that prevents decay and can occur naturally in environments such as deserts, although Egyptian mummies are more widely recognized. The newly discovered specimen exhibits cloudy eyes and shriveled limbs that look like dried-out husks.
“This is something I’ve never seen before,” said Joan Madurell-Malapeira of the University of Florence. Italywho was not involved in the discovery.
Researchers aren’t sure exactly how these new big cats were mummified, but the cave’s dry conditions and stable temperatures may have played a role, according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
They also didn’t know why there were so many cheetahs in the cave. It may have been the nest where mothers gave birth and raised their children.
the scientist Rare mummified remains of other big cats found, including a saber-toothed tiger cub Russia.
It is unusual for large mammals to be preserved to this extent. In addition to being in the right environment, the carcasses must also avoid becoming snacks for hungry scavengers such as birds and hyenas.
Cheetahs once roamed much of the Africa and part Asiabut now only lives in 9% of its former range and has not yet been found throughout the region arabian peninsula for decades. This may be due to factors such as habitat loss, unregulated hunting and lack of prey.
Scientists were also able to peer into cheetah genes and found that the remains were most similar to modern cheetahs, a first for a natural mummy of a big cat. Asia and northwest Africa. This information may help in future efforts to reintroduce big cats to places where they no longer live.
