Smaller than a house cat: scientists identify new wild cat species after over a century

Scientists in Bolivia have identified a previously unknown species of wild cat that is notably smaller than many domestic cats. A fully grown individual measures only about 45 centimeters in length and weighs around 1.3 kilograms.

The newly described species has been named Leopardus tilcayo. It marks the first new South American wild cat species to be scientifically documented in more than a century, making the discovery a significant event in zoology.

How the discovery unfolded

The story behind the new species began nearly a decade ago, when a local family in Bolivia handed over an unusual animal to a wildlife care center. At first, specialists assumed it belonged to one of the already known small wild cat species. However, its unusual appearance drew researchers' attention and prompted further investigation.

Subsequent genetic analyses, carried out over the following years, revealed substantial differences from other related species. This evidence led researchers to conclude that they had, all along, been dealing with a representative of a species previously unknown to science.

Next steps

Currently, the only known individual of Leopardus tilcayo lives in human care. To gain a clearer picture of the species' distribution and population size, researchers have set up camera traps in Bolivia's forests. Through this effort, specialists hope to find other members of the species and assess the state of its wild population.