Two Ice-Age puppies found in Siberian permafrost are not dogs—but ancient wolves.

By Aniket Chakraborty June 17, 2025 Arrow

Originally thought to be early domesticated pets, their DNA tells a very different story.

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The "Tumat Puppies" lived 14,000 years ago and belonged to an extinct wolf population.

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Their discovery near mammoth remains led scientists to suspect early human contact.

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But genetic analysis proves they were not linked to modern dog ancestors at all.

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One major clue—black fur—was thought to indicate domestication. Turns out, it doesn’t.

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The same black fur gene is found in these wild wolves, complicating dog evolution timelines.

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Stomach contents revealed a shocking meal: meat from a woolly rhinoceros.

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This hints at advanced pack hunting and a social life much like today’s wolves.

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Instead of solving the mystery of dogs, these pups show how much we still don’t know.

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