The size of this amazingly small cat is only 35-50 centimeters. But there is a nuance.
This species of tiny creature became extinct long ago – approximately 30,000 years ago.
The oldest representative of the cat family, Prionailurus kurteni, was discovered in the Hualundun Cave (China).
Even today's miniature black-footed and Ceylon cats are larger than the extinct little cat.
By the way, the age of this unusual creature was determined from a fragment of the jaw that was found.
The cat was so small that it could fit in the palm of your hand.
In light of the new discovery, researchers suggest that the smallest cats may have had contact with the inhabitants of Hualundun.
The leftover food attracted rodents, and miniature cats invariably followed them.
It is possible that Prionailurus kurteni may have been the first species that humans attempted to domesticate.
This hypothesis is supported by the fact that no traces of processing were found on the bones of these animals.
This may indicate, the scientists note, that people of that time probably had a liking for incredibly small cats.
And if they had a friendly character, they could well become favorite pets of people of that time.
