Woolly cheetah

The woolly cheetah, discovered in 1877 in Beaufort West, South Africa, is a fascinating example of an unusual species that differed from known cheetahs in both body structure and coat appearance.

In 1877, in Beaufort West, South Africa, an unusual male cheetah was brought to London Zoo. It differed from "ordinary" cheetahs in its more powerful build (though it was a small animal), and its legs were shorter and stronger. It had unusual fur, significantly longer and denser than known specimens, especially on the neck, ears, and tail. Furthermore, instead of the characteristic spots that usually dot a cheetah's coat, the animal's yellow-gray fur had small, dark fawn spots. The long-haired cheetah was immediately recognized as a distinct species, given the name Felis lanea, or woolly cheetah. In the late 19th century, two other specimens were spotted, also in Beaufort West. Currently, there is no information on the occurrence of this animal, so it appears that the species is extinct.

Many theories have been put forward about the woolly cheetah. One is that it is actually an albino, like the white lions of the Timbavati, while another suggests that the animal is actually a mutant. The mystery still awaits resolution.