Sabre-tooth cat's surprisingly weak bite
October 2nd 2007 12:22
From New Scientist, 1 October 2007 by Jeff Hecht:
"Sporting two canine teeth the size of large kitchen knives, the North American sabre-tooth cat looked every inch a deadly predator. But a computerised comparison of the skull mechanics of Smilodon fatalis with those of a modern lion has revealed that this prehistoric beast had a surprisingly delicate bite.
"Fossil evidence shows that Smilodon fatalis had powerful front legs and a stocky build, suggesting it preyed on large herbivores like bison and horses along the western edge of North America. However, since this big cat became extinct some 10,000 years ago, paleontologists have long argued over exactly how such a big-toothed predator may have actually killed its prey.
"The living animal most similar to the sabre tooth cat – the lion – typically kills large animals like buffalo by clamping its jaws around the throat and strangling a victim to death. But the sabre tooth cat's 20-centimetre-long canine teeth and 120°-wide bite suggest a different strategy.
"Paleontologists have variously suggested that Smilodon fatalis brought down large animals by with a single fatal blow, by slicing their throats or bellies, or stabbing them after a flying leap."
Continue reading here.
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That's the nice thing about natural history: it's a detective story that keeps on getting more interesting all the time.
"Sporting two canine teeth the size of large kitchen knives, the North American sabre-tooth cat looked every inch a deadly predator. But a computerised comparison of the skull mechanics of Smilodon fatalis with those of a modern lion has revealed that this prehistoric beast had a surprisingly delicate bite.
"Fossil evidence shows that Smilodon fatalis had powerful front legs and a stocky build, suggesting it preyed on large herbivores like bison and horses along the western edge of North America. However, since this big cat became extinct some 10,000 years ago, paleontologists have long argued over exactly how such a big-toothed predator may have actually killed its prey.
"The living animal most similar to the sabre tooth cat – the lion – typically kills large animals like buffalo by clamping its jaws around the throat and strangling a victim to death. But the sabre tooth cat's 20-centimetre-long canine teeth and 120°-wide bite suggest a different strategy.
"Paleontologists have variously suggested that Smilodon fatalis brought down large animals by with a single fatal blow, by slicing their throats or bellies, or stabbing them after a flying leap."
Continue reading here.
=========================
That's the nice thing about natural history: it's a detective story that keeps on getting more interesting all the time.
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