A New Cat Species Was Discovered In Corsica: Please Welcome The "Cat-Fox"

According to researchers from the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS), this cat found a few weeks ago in Corsica and known as the "ghjattu-volpe" in Corsican or "cat-fox" in English, could actually be a new species of feline. Isn't that exciting?

Story via: New York Post/ Rfi

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At first, it appears much like an ordinary furry domestic cat.

But take a closer look and you'll find that it is much longer than an average cat, measuring around 90cms, its ears are larger, it has overly developped canines and the tip of its tail ends in a black tuft.

Via RFI
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The gray-tailed critter had long prowled the island — but officials only recently determined it may be an extraordinary hybrid of fox and cat.

With wide ears and black rings on the tail, the feline appears to be a fox, but its silky-hair and facial features are characteristics of a domestic cat, experts said.

Via NY Post
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The ONCFS has identified 16 fox-cats on the French Island and has captured 12, including a female. All were released after a quick review

Once asleep, the silky-haired feline, very similar to the classic domestic cat for the uninitiated, was studied by experts that discovered he had a very long tail with 2-4 rings, very wide ears, short whiskers, red-rust color on the belly and a zebra characteristics on his front legs.

Via Vaaju
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the Corsica cat-fox has existed for some time in local legend

It is described in the literature, and by shepherds who have lost herds of goats to it, but this is the first time anything scientific has been put forward.

Via RFI France
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Via /AFP