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Still snarling after 40,000 years, a giant Pleistocene wolf discovered in Yakutia

By 0 and 0 and 0
07 June 2019

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The Pleistocene wolf’s head is 40cm long, so half of the whole body length of a modern wolf which varies from 66 to 86cm. Picture: Albert Protopopov

The severed head of the world’s first full-sized Pleistocene wolf was unearthed in the Abyisky district in the north of Yakutia. 

Local man Pavel Efimov found it in summer 2018 on shore of the Tirekhtyakh River, tributary of Indigirka.

The wolf, whose rich mammoth-like fur and impressive fangs are still intact, was fully grown and aged from two to four years old when it died. 

Pleistocene wolf

The wolf, whose rich mammoth-like fur and impressive fangs are still intact, was fully grown and aged from two to four years old when it died. Picture: Albert Protopopov

The head was dated older than 40,000 years by Japanese scientists.

Scientists at the Swedish Museum of Natural History will examine the Pleistocene predator’s DNA.

‘This is a unique discovery of the first ever remains of a fully grown Pleistocene wolf with its tissue preserved. We will be comparing it to modern-day wolves to understand how the species has evolved and to reconstruct its appearance,’ said an excited Albert Protopopov, from the Republic of Sakha Academy of Sciences. 

Map

Local man Pavel Efimov found it in summer 2018 on shore of the Tirekhtyakh River, tributary of Indigirka.

The Pleistocene wolf’s head is 40cm long, so half of the whole body length of a modern wolf which varies from 66 to 86cm. 

The astonishing discovery was announced in Tokyo, Japan, during the opening of a grandiose Woolly Mammoth exhibition organised by Yakutian and Japanese scientists. 

CT scan


CT scan


CT scan

CT scan of the wolf's head. Pictures: Albert Protopopov, Naoki Suzuki

Alongside the wolf the scientists presented an immaculately-well preserved cave lion cub. 

‘Their muscles, organs and brains are in good condition,’ said Naoki Suzuki, a professor of palaeontology and medicine with the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, who studied the remains with a CT scanner. 

‘We want to assess their physical capabilities and ecology by comparing them with the lions and wolves of today.’

Pleistocene wolf


Pleistocene wolf

‘This is a unique discovery of the first ever remains of a fully grown Pleistocene wolf with its tissue preserved.' Pictures: Naoki Suzuki

The cave lion cub named Spartak - previously announced - is about 40cm long and weighed about 800 grams. 

Scientists believe the cub died shortly after birth. 

The recent discovery follows that of the remains of three cave lions in 2015 and 2017 by the same team.

The cave lion cub named Spartak - previously announced - is about 40cm long and weighed about 800 grams. Pictures: The Siberian Times, YSIA

Spartak


Spartak


Research


Frozen cave lion cub

Comments (150)

At least there are some benefits to melting permafrost. Amazing preservation of both these animals.
Marian Hennings, USA
08/06/2019 21:42
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Fantastic work being done. Amazeing what they find when the ice melts. What discoveries to come.
David Creagh, Ireland
08/06/2019 21:09
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The whole body of a wolf today, Guess they have never really measured a real wolf of today. I have seen some that are over 3 foot long, and from nose to tail tip being over 7 foot long..
Wolf, Wolfsburg USA
08/06/2019 19:40
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These are incredible finds! I am absolutely fascinated and hope to see more published on the studies.
Sharon Smith, USA
08/06/2019 19:10
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@Robert Chope



Body length, as in not including the neck and head.
Fade2gray, UK
08/06/2019 18:15
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I'm a Masters student in zooarchaeology. It's definitely not a bear head. Look at the molars in the CT scan photos. Bears are omnivores and have grinding molars similar to our own. This animal has sharp, pointed molars characteristic of carnivores and dentition which matches the canids (wolves, dogs, etc.).
Steve Spencer, Washington State, USA
08/06/2019 18:02
40
2
I'm no Scientist, but that sure looks like a Grizzle Bear head to me, not a wolf. The color of
The fur, size and shape of the mouth seem incredibly Bear-like. I'm certain the experts have proven
me wrong by now with DNA swabs, but in any case, it's extraordinarily interesting!!
Sarah C, CA
08/06/2019 14:34
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48
Not a dire wolf. The time period is tight but they lived in the Americas.



Or, of course, in the timbers of Fennario.
Jack McCullough, United States
08/06/2019 10:52
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The dire wolf is an extinct species of the genus Canis. It is one of the most famous prehistoric carnivores in North America, along with its extinct competitor, the sabre-toothed cat Smilodon fatalis. The dire wolf lived in the Americas during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene epochs. Wikipedia
Jeannine, USA
08/06/2019 10:32
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The cub is 40 centimeters. Not the full sized 2-4 year old specimen.
Jem, Wyoming
08/06/2019 10:29
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Very, very interesting. I like how scans can be performed so that the specimen could be preserved. I'm not too certain on the size of the photo, but could this be a dire wolf? Or just a regular wolf?.
Ioan Lightoller, United States
08/06/2019 09:55
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Wow, terrific find. Fascinating. Thank you.
Shabbs, Wellington NEw Zealand
08/06/2019 09:52
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Great find...good job to all.
ernie meyer, maple ridge, Canada
08/06/2019 06:03
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This article states...The Pleistocene wolf’s head is 40cm long, so half of the whole body length of a modern wolf which varies from 66 to 86cm. Picture: Albert Protopopov. That means a modern wolf is 2.82 ft long in its entire length! lol. 86cm = 33.8583 inches = 2.82 ft.
Robert Chope, USA
08/06/2019 05:37
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I love that you cover this. Yours is the only publication that does consistently.
Sisuanna, USofA
08/06/2019 04:30
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