Mummified cheetahs discovered in caves in Saudi Arabia: "Something that I've never seen before"
Updated on: January 16, 2026 / 6:37 AM EST / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- Mummified cheetah remains dating back over 1,800 years have been found in caves in northern Saudi Arabia.
- The discovery includes seven mummies and bones from 54 other cheetahs.
- The preservation may be due to the caves' dry conditions and stable temperature.
- This finding provides insights into the evolutionary history and extinction of cheetahs in Saudi Arabia.
- Cheetahs once inhabited a larger range across Africa and Asia but are now found in only 9% of their previous habitat and have not been seen on the Arabian Peninsula for decades.