Experts Found A Perfectly Preserved Ice-Age Puppy In Siberia – With Its Last Meal Still Inside

In the icy wilds of rural Siberia, a team of Russian researchers dug down into the permafrost. Buried in the frozen ground, they discovered the mummified remains of a canine pup, frozen in time for 14,000 years. But as they took a closer look, they realized that this ancient creature was hiding a truly remarkable secret.

A final meal

After careful excavation, the pup – dubbed Tumat after the region where it was found – was shipped to a laboratory for analysis. And there, experts discovered evidence of the predator’s final meal, preserved inside its stomach for all to see. So what exactly was on the menu during the last Ice Age?

Wolf or dog?

Since the pup’s discovery ten years ago, experts have speculated over its true nature. Was it, for example, a wolf or a domesticated dog? And if the latter, to what extent did it live in harmony with the humans who roamed Siberia thousands of years ago? Using DNA analysis, experts have begun to unravel the secrets behind this canine mystery.

Prehistoric food chain

The pup’s last meal, though, is perhaps the most fascinating part of all. Consumed shortly before the creature drew its final breath, this snack reveals a fascinating insight into the food chain of Siberia during prehistoric times. Now, experts have finally figured out its true nature – and the results might surprise you.

Siberian permafrost

The story began back in 2011 when a team of researchers discovered the pup’s body in Tumat, a rural region in the Ust-Yansky District of north-eastern Russia. Despite their obvious age, the canine remains had been perfectly preserved, thanks to the permafrost that covers the ground in this part of Siberia.