法國(guó)的一個(gè)島上發(fā)現(xiàn)了一種新的“狐貓”物種

科學(xué)家們堅(jiān)信他們?cè)诜▏?guó)的一個(gè)島上發(fā)現(xiàn)了一種新的“狐貓”物種

Wildlife researchers have located 16 of the creatures which are said to resemble a domestic cat, while also having stripes on the front legs, dark back legs and a silky, thick coat, AFP reports. Its tail is long with rings and a black tip, which is how it earned the name "cat fox".

據(jù)法新社報(bào)道，野生動(dòng)物研究人員已經(jīng)發(fā)現(xiàn)了16只這種動(dòng)物，據(jù)說(shuō)它們長(zhǎng)得像家貓，前腿上有條紋，后腿上有深色的條紋，還有一層絲質(zhì)的厚毛。它的尾巴很長(zhǎng)，有環(huán)，末端是黑色的，因此得名“狐貓”。

The discovery was made by the National Hunting and Wildlife Office in France.

這一發(fā)現(xiàn)是由法國(guó)國(guó)家狩獵和野生動(dòng)物辦公室做出的。

Since 2016, researchers have been able to capture 12 of the felines so they can be examined, AFP reports. They are then released back into the habitat in northern Corsica.

據(jù)法新社報(bào)道，自2016年以來(lái)，研究人員已經(jīng)捕獲了12只狐貓，以便對(duì)它們進(jìn)行檢查，然后再把它們放回科西嘉島北部的棲息地。

The research commenced in 2012.

這項(xiàng)研究始于2012年。

"By looking at its DNA, we could tell it apart from the European wildcat," said wildlife office chief environmental technician Pierre Benedetti.

野生動(dòng)物辦公室首席環(huán)境技術(shù)員皮埃爾·貝內(nèi)代蒂說(shuō)：“通過(guò)觀察它的DNA，我們可以把它與歐洲野貓區(qū)分開(kāi)來(lái)。”

"We believe that it's a wild natural species which was known, but not specifically identified because it's an extremely inconspicuous animal with nocturnal habitats.

“我們認(rèn)為這是一種已知的野生自然物種，但由于它是一種極不顯眼的具有夜間棲息地的動(dòng)物，因此還沒(méi)有明確的確定。

"It's a wonderful discovery," he told AFP.

他向記者表示：“這是一個(gè)奇妙的發(fā)現(xiàn)。”