Tiny cat discovered in Bolivia said to be 1st new feline species in over 100 years

A tiny cat in Bolivia is being hailed as the first new feline species in more than 100 years.

Smaller than an average housecat and covered in leopard-like spots, the cat species -- proposed name Leopardus tilcayo -- lives in Bolivia's Yungas forest ecoregion. Very little is known about its day-to-day life in the wild.

Scientists first became interested in the animal after it was brought to a wildlife sanctuary as a kitten.

Genetic testing later confirmed it didn't belong to any known cat species.

Its discovery is redrawing the branches of the cat family tree, and researchers hope the methods used to identify it could be used to find even more new cat species around the world.

ABC News contributed to this report.