Scientists Find a New Small Wild Cat in Bolivia

Scientists have found a new kind of small wild cat in the mountain forests of Bolivia. The animal is called the tilcayo cat. It is smaller than a normal house cat. It weighs about 1.4 kilograms and has light brown fur with dark spots.

kind of= 一種、某種類型（用於描述種類或類別）

The discovery began with one cat living in an animal sanctuary. A local resident found the cat when it was young and thought it was a house cat. Later, a scientist noticed that the animal looked different from other known wild cats.

noticed that= 注意到、察覺到（透過觀察發現某個事實）

Researchers tested DNA samples from wild cats across South America. The tests proved that the tilcayo cat is a completely new species. Scientists believe these cats live in quiet, cloudy forests and hunt small rodents at night.

Scientists say this new cat species might already be in danger. People are cutting down trees and burning forests in Bolivia. Protecting the forest will help keep this small cat safe.

in danger= 身處險境、面臨危險（有受害或滅絕的風險）cutting down= 砍伐（樹木）

學習筆記

文法整理

句型	意思
kind of	一種、某種類型（用於描述種類或類別）
noticed that	注意到、察覺到（透過觀察發現某個事實）
in danger	身處險境、面臨危險（有受害或滅絕的風險）
cutting down	砍伐（樹木）

詞彙整理

單字	意思
fur	哺乳類動物身上生長的細密毛髮，尤指貓、狗等動物的毛；也可指經加工處理後的獸皮毛。
discovery	發現某件事物的行為或過程。
resident	居住在某地的；住在某地的
species	【生物】具有共同特徵，彼此能交配繁殖並產生具有生殖能力後代的生物分類單位；物種。
in danger	處於可能受到傷害、死亡或滅絕等威脅的狀態；面臨危險

延伸學習

•像 tilcayo 貓這樣的小型野生貓科動物，常因體型不大而被誤認為是普通的家貓。
•安地斯山脈的高山雲霧林是生物多樣性豐富的區域，至今仍不斷發現新的動物物種。