A 31,000-year-old fossil has challenged everything scientists thought about the extinct 'American cheetah' — its DNA and diet tell a surprising story

For thousands of years, a mysterious big cat roamed the grasslands and forests of North America. With long legs and a body built for speed, Miracinonyx trumani eventually became known as the “American cheetah.”

The name seemed to make sense. The extinct predator lived alongside fast-moving prey and had a body shape that invited comparisons with Africa’s famous cheetahs.