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The first new cat species discovered in 100 years

379 points · 148 comments · ohjeez

  1. autoexec · · focus · HN ↗
    It's Leopardus tilcayo aka 'tilcayo tiger cat' and it's very cute. Wikipedia doesn't have a page dedicated to it yet.

    Bonus pics: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.newscientist.com&#x2F;wp-content&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;2026&#x2F;09&#x2F;SEI_312819149.jpg" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.newscientist.com&#x2F;wp-content&#x2F;uploads&#x2F;2026&#x2F;09&#x2F;SEI_...

    <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;media.zenfs.com&#x2F;en&#x2F;live_science_953&#x2F;73a4cafd69e9e86312a459e0206a1469.png" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;media.zenfs.com&#x2F;en&#x2F;live_science_953&#x2F;73a4cafd69e9e863...

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    <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;thepeninsulaqatar.com&#x2F;get&#x2F;maximage&#x2F;20260917_1789662761-615.jpeg?1789662761" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;thepeninsulaqatar.com&#x2F;get&#x2F;maximage&#x2F;20260917_17896627...

    1. cromka · · focus · HN ↗
      Looks like a house cat, I am betting it&#x27;s a matter of months before someone starts selling the crossbreds, like they do with Bengal.

      Also, they&#x27;re only 3-4 lbs!

      1. BeetleB · · focus · HN ↗
        Let&#x27;s see if it (or crossbreeds) can be tamed.

        This particular one was actually being kept in a house because someone confused it for a &quot;pretty housecat&quot;. After a while, the owner realized it didn&#x27;t want to be tamed and contacted someone for help.

        Also, it&#x27;s the only known one in existence. Hard to start a breeding program unless they find more.

        1. shevy-java · · focus · HN ↗
          I mean, taming animals is trivial. Look at the lion whisperer. People before that thought that lions are always wild.

          Some animals are just harder to tame and remain ferocious more than others. But behaviour of animals is adaptable and most animals learn.

          1. sscaryterry · · focus · HN ↗
            The only reason my house cat has not murdered me is because he is 4kg, and I&#x27;m not. He loves me though.
            1. ghaff · · focus · HN ↗
              Cats are not really domesticated. I&#x27;ve heard various terms but semi-domesticated probably serves. They&#x27;re very adaptable but not pack animals. You&#x27;re sort of safe with house cats because they&#x27;re small. You get less safe as the body weight goes up the scale.
              1. pvaldes · · focus · HN ↗
                Domestic cats, are pack animals under some conditions.

                Those and lions are the only cats known that don&#x27;t mind to tolerate friends and non relatives around in their territories, cats clearly enjoy the company, form hierarchies and share food. Hyaenas and mongooses are related with cats and definitely social also. Lingsangs on the other way, are solitary.

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