Leopards, cheetahs, Egyptian maus — a variety of cats have stunning spots. Others, like tigers, have stripes; still others, ...

The spots on this leopard are much easier to see. Some big cats have spots - this big cat has stripes. Tigers are stripy all over. Look at the beautiful, thick, black stripes on this tiger.

But maybe we can narrow the field a little. Today’s cats, both big and small, might be able to help us predict the presence of spots and stripes in their toothy, extinct relatives. After pulling ...