In an amazing discovery, two ancient wolf cubs, preserved for over 14,000 years in Siberian permafrost, offer an unprecedented glimpse into the wild biodiversity of the Pleistocene era.
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These mummified sisters have captured the scientific community’s attention, challenging assumptions about early canine domestication.
This discovery provides hard evidence on the thriving fauna of prehistoric northern Siberia, emphasizing that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.
In northern Siberia, two remarkably well-preserved wolf cubs were unearthed, providing a tangible connection to an ancient world untouched by modern civilization.
Discovered in 2011 and 2015, these cubs, known as the “Tumat Puppies,” were initially believed to be early domesticated dogs.
However, genetic testing later revealed their true lineage as an extinct wolf species, presenting a critical piece in the puzzle of canine evolution.
Fascinatingly, these cubs still have fur intact, a feature that underscores the capabilities of natural preservation in permafrost.
The research, led by Anne Kathrine Runge, identifies these cubs’ last meals—woolly rhinoceros and wagtail bird—as strong indicators of the ecosystem’s diversity during the Pleistocene era.
This detail alone sheds light on the variety of creatures that roamed Siberia all those centuries ago.
The Tumat Puppies offer a unique glimpse into ancient ecosystems, showing that wolves of the past shared many traits with those alive today.
This genetic continuity suggests that while environments may change, some species’ inherent characteristics remain steadfast.
While many may have wished these were amongst the first domesticated dogs, the evidence highlights how similar these ancient creatures were to contemporary wolves.
“Whilst many will be disappointed that these animals are almost certainly wolves and not early domesticated dogs, they have helped us get closer to understanding the environment at the time, how these animals lived, and how remarkably similar wolves from more than 14,000 years ago are to modern day wolves,” Runge explained.
Located near woolly mammoth bones that show signs of human interaction, the cubs were originally misclassified as early domesticated dogs.
This misunderstanding, corrected through DNA tests in 2019, aligns with broader debates over when and where humans first began domesticating dogs.
The study’s findings do not provide ironclad evidence of human interactions but open a window into possible scenarios of coexistence between ancient humans and their environment.
Recent analysis of bones, teeth, and soft tissues from these cubs has yielded significant data.
The geological context and the cubs’ diets lend insight into their living conditions—a dry, mild climate near water sources such as rivers or oxbow lakes.
This paints a complex portrait of prehistoric ecosystems and climate, offering essential data as we compare prehistoric patterns to current environmental changes.
New research suggests that 14,000-year-old well-preserved ice age “puppies” may actually be wolf cubs. 🐺 https://t.co/bEgnX6YSeS
— Tomorrow's World Today (@twtexplore) June 21, 2025
