Post by dinosauria101 on Feb 17, 2019 18:50:53 GMT 5
Smilodon fatalis
Smilodon fatalis ("the deadly knife-tooth") is possibly the best-known of the machairodontine saber-toothed cats. It appeared in North America about 1.6 million years ago and later migrated down the west coast of the continent to Peru. It became extinct around 10,000 years ago. This species is estimated to have ranged from 160 to 280 kg (350 to 620 lb). Particularly large specimens could weigh 350 kg. Their teeth are about 7 in. Although the saber-toothed cat has no close living relatives, paleontologists reconstruct how the saber-toothed cat looked by comparing its bones with those of large cats living today. Very powerful front legs and a short tail indicate that saber-toothed cats used stealth and ambush rather than speed to capture their prey. Recent investigations suggest that this saber-toothed cat probably used its long canines to slash through the throat, severing the wind pipe and cutting the jugular. Its teeth were surprisingly delicate and could easily snap off if a prey animal struggled. Its mouth could open up to 120 degrees, whereas its closest living relative, Panthera leo, or lion, can only open its jaws to 65 degrees.
Archaeotherium mortoni
Archaeotherium (Greek, "Ancient Beast") is an extinct artiodactyl genus of the family Entelodontidae, endemic to North America during the Oligocene epoch (38—24.8 mya), existing for approximately 6 million years. Archaeotherium was about 1.2m tall at the shoulder and around 2m long and weighing around 270kg. It was a relative of javelinas and pigs. Evidence from the Wyoming Dinosaur Center suggests that Archaeotherium, like modern carnivores, kept caches of food when their hunting was unsuccessful. These bones were mainly those of Teleoceras. The largest (and type) species, A. mortoni was an aggressive, cow-sized apex predator. Rhino jaws and other mammal bones have been found with bite marks on them that match the large canines of A. mortoni. A fossil trackway in Toadstool Park depicts the path of a Subhyracodon walking forward, stopping to see an Archaeotherium approach, then breaking into a gallop with the entelodont chasing after it. In leaner times, it is suggested that Archaeotherium dug for roots and tubers, as with other pig-like mammals.
Credit to Wikipedia
Smilodon fatalis ("the deadly knife-tooth") is possibly the best-known of the machairodontine saber-toothed cats. It appeared in North America about 1.6 million years ago and later migrated down the west coast of the continent to Peru. It became extinct around 10,000 years ago. This species is estimated to have ranged from 160 to 280 kg (350 to 620 lb). Particularly large specimens could weigh 350 kg. Their teeth are about 7 in. Although the saber-toothed cat has no close living relatives, paleontologists reconstruct how the saber-toothed cat looked by comparing its bones with those of large cats living today. Very powerful front legs and a short tail indicate that saber-toothed cats used stealth and ambush rather than speed to capture their prey. Recent investigations suggest that this saber-toothed cat probably used its long canines to slash through the throat, severing the wind pipe and cutting the jugular. Its teeth were surprisingly delicate and could easily snap off if a prey animal struggled. Its mouth could open up to 120 degrees, whereas its closest living relative, Panthera leo, or lion, can only open its jaws to 65 degrees.
Archaeotherium mortoni
Archaeotherium (Greek, "Ancient Beast") is an extinct artiodactyl genus of the family Entelodontidae, endemic to North America during the Oligocene epoch (38—24.8 mya), existing for approximately 6 million years. Archaeotherium was about 1.2m tall at the shoulder and around 2m long and weighing around 270kg. It was a relative of javelinas and pigs. Evidence from the Wyoming Dinosaur Center suggests that Archaeotherium, like modern carnivores, kept caches of food when their hunting was unsuccessful. These bones were mainly those of Teleoceras. The largest (and type) species, A. mortoni was an aggressive, cow-sized apex predator. Rhino jaws and other mammal bones have been found with bite marks on them that match the large canines of A. mortoni. A fossil trackway in Toadstool Park depicts the path of a Subhyracodon walking forward, stopping to see an Archaeotherium approach, then breaking into a gallop with the entelodont chasing after it. In leaner times, it is suggested that Archaeotherium dug for roots and tubers, as with other pig-like mammals.
Credit to Wikipedia