News Science Breakthrough: Meet the First New Cat Species Discovered in 100 Years
September 17 2026 marked a landmark news science moment when National Geographic confirmed the formal description of Leopardus tilcayo. The 10 year old male resident of Senda Verde Animal Refuge measures about 18 inches from head to body and weighs roughly 3 pounds. It is smaller than a domestic cat and remained undetected for more than a century.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Leopardus tilcayo?
- A: Leopardus tilcayo is a newly formally described wild cat species, the first new cat species recognized in about 100 years, confirmed by National Geographic on September 17, 2026.
- Q: Where was the new cat discovered?
- A: The known individual is a 10-year-old male resident of Senda Verde Animal Refuge in Bolivia, suggesting the species originates from the Bolivian rainforest region.
- Q: Why did it remain undetected for a century?
- A: It is exceptionally small, about 18 inches head-to-body and ~3 pounds, smaller than a domestic cat, allowing it to evade detection and be mistaken for known species.