Unveiling Ancient Secrets: New Saber-Toothed Cat Species Discovered

Paleontologists have discovered two new species of saber-toothed cats that lived in South Africa over 5 million years ago. The fossils were found in Langebaanweg 'E' Quarry, a significant site for understanding the transition from wet forests to grasslands. The newly-discovered species, Lokotunjailurus chinsamyae and Dinofelis werdelini, along with two known species, Yoshi obscura and Adeilosmilus aff. kabir, provide insights into the diverse environments and adaptations during this period. The cats likely occupied different ecological niches, with some adapted to open grasslands and others to forested areas. The presence of herbivorous fossils suggests a Mediterranean climate. Saber-toothed cats, belonging to the subfamily Machairodontinae, first appeared 12 million years ago and coexisted with humans until their extinction less than 10,000 years ago.