For the first time in over 100 years: a new species of tiny cat discovered in Bolivia

A new species of tiny cat has been discovered in Bolivia's Yungas forest — the first such find in over 100 years. Named 'Tilcayo' by local communities, it belongs to the 'tiger cat' group. The animal is about 46 cm long and weighs around 1.4 kg, smaller than a domestic cat. Its fur is light brown with asymmetrical black spots. The scientific name is Leopardus tilcayo. The study was published in the journal Current Biology.

In Bolivia's Yungas forest, a new species of tiny cat has been discovered — the first such find in over 100 years. Local communities call the animal 'Tilcayo'. It belongs to the 'tiger cat' group, which inhabits various parts of South America. The cat is about 46 cm long and weighs around 1.4 kg, making it smaller than a domestic cat. Its fur is light brown, covered with asymmetrical black spots. The scientific name of the species is Leopardus tilcayo. The study describing the new species was published in the scientific journal Current Biology.