Cave Cat Bones Are Neotropical Species

December 13, 2025

Ancient DNA analysis has revealed that two small cat fossils retrieved from Natural Bridge Caverns aren’t common bobcats, as initially thought, but a neotropical species — such as an ocelot, margay or jaguarundi. The researchers also determined the fossils to be about 11,500 years old.  

Small neotropical cats are endangered and extremely rare. The ocelot is the only species that is still found in Texas today. The discovery sheds light on feline fauna that lived in Texas thousands of years ago.  

Research on the Natural Bridge cats reaches back to the 1963, when the first few cat bones were recovered by a student from The University of Texas at Austin. In 2023, cavers found more bones, a second cat and pawprints pressed in mud — all of which helped reignite research on the ancient felines.