Mummies of Cheetahs That Lived Centuries Ago Found in Cave 0 10

Archaeologists have discovered mummified remains of cheetahs in a cave near the city of Ar'ar, Saudi Arabia. This was reported by the Associated Press.

Employees of the National Center for Wildlife of Saudi Arabia (NCW) retrieved seven cheetahs with cloudy eyes and wrinkled skin from the cave. Typically, mummies of humans and animals are made intentionally; however, sometimes mummification can occur naturally. Scientists are currently unable to determine why this happened to the cheetahs. It is believed that they became mummies due to the dry air of the caves.

Inside, bones of another 54 cheetahs were found. The age of the discovered remains ranges from 130 to 1800 years. Researchers from NCW also do not yet know why so many cheetah skeletons were found in the caves. It is possible that females gave birth and raised cubs in this location centuries ago.

According to one of the scientists at the center, Ahmed Bug, the remains of the cheetahs are very well preserved, which is rare. Usually, they are damaged by scavengers. Bug and his colleagues have already studied the findings and determined that the genes of the discovered individuals are similar to the genes of modern cheetahs inhabiting Asia and northwestern Africa.