A team of biologists recently identified a new species of cat, the Leopardus tilcayo, in Bolivia’s cloud forests. This small, spotted feline is the first new living cat species discovered in over a century, weighing around 5 pounds and resembling a “leopard that shrank to the size of a house kitten.” The findings were published in Current Biology.
Not much is known about this cat’s biology and lifestyle; researchers have only examined two live individuals and have limited camera-trap records. Jonas Lescroart, a co-lead author of the study from the University of Antwerp, described the discovery as “monumental.” Eduardo Eizirik, another co-author, emphasized the importance of preserving endangered habitats to protect undiscovered species at risk of extinction.
