法國的一個島上發(fā)現(xiàn)了一種新的“狐貓”物種

科學家們堅信他們在法國的一個島上發(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)法新社報道，野生動物研究人員已經(jīng)發(fā)現(xiàn)了16只這種動物，據(jù)說它們長得像家貓，前腿上有條紋，后腿上有深色的條紋，還有一層絲質的厚毛。它的尾巴很長，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)是由法國國家狩獵和野生動物辦公室做出的。

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)法新社報道，自2016年以來，研究人員已經(jīng)捕獲了12只狐貓，以便對它們進行檢查，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.

野生動物辦公室首席環(huán)境技術員皮埃爾·貝內代蒂說：“通過觀察它的DNA，我們可以把它與歐洲野貓區(qū)分開來。”

"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物，因此還沒有明確的確定。

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

他向記者表示：“這是一個奇妙的發(fā)現(xiàn)。”