Saudi Caves Yield Ancient Cheetah Remains and Subspecies Evidence

Scientists have uncovered the naturally mummified remains of seven cheetahs along with the skeletons of 54 others in a network of caves near the city of Arar in northern Saudi Arabia, providing the first direct evidence of multiple cheetah subspecies that once roamed the Arabian Peninsula. The discovery, made during fieldwork in 2022 and 2023 by researchers from Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife, dates the remains from about 130 years ago to as far back as 4,000 years, offering new insights into the animals' historical presence in the region.

The mummified cheetahs, preserved in a striking state with visible cloudy eyes and shrunken limbs, were found alongside the skeletal remains in five caves within the Lauga cave system. Radiocarbon dating places two of the mummies at around 1,870 years old and one at 130 years old, while the oldest skeletons date to approximately 4,000 years ago. The dry air, stable temperatures, and low humidity of the cave environment inhibited bacterial decay and protected the bodies from scavengers, allowing for exceptional preservation of soft tissues and genetic material. "Mummified carnivorous mammals can remain relatively well-preserved in...