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How a Smilodon sabretooth cat closed its gaping mouth
BBC ^ | February 25, 2011 | Victoria Gill

Posted on 02/25/2011 5:40:32 AM PST by decimon

The mystery of how prehistoric sabretoothed cats coped with their oversized teeth has been solved in part by a new analysis of the cats' jaws.

To impale prey with these impressive weapons, the famous sabretoothed cats must have opened their mouths wider than any modern big cat, but it was unclear if their jaw muscles were strong enough to do it.

Now the new analysis reveals that the cats' jaw muscles evolved into a specialised pattern, which allowed them to open their mouths so wide.

>

But Smilodon would also have done something that every cat-owner can see a relic of in their own pet.

"When you put a piece of food on the floor for your cat, you'll see it bobs its head forward as it eats it," he explained.

>

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: History; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs; kittyping
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1 posted on 02/25/2011 5:40:34 AM PST by decimon
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To: SunkenCiv; Slings and Arrows

By shear force ping.


2 posted on 02/25/2011 5:42:04 AM PST by decimon
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To: decimon

Makes sense to me.


3 posted on 02/25/2011 5:43:59 AM PST by Bigh4u2 (Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)
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To: decimon

I am glad they found that out.

Wondering how a Sabre Toothed cat closed it’s mouth has been keeping me awake nights for years.


4 posted on 02/25/2011 6:28:25 AM PST by Venturer
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To: Venturer
Wondering how a Sabre Toothed cat closed it’s mouth has been keeping me awake nights for years.

At least the cat didn't get your tongue.

5 posted on 02/25/2011 6:39:06 AM PST by decimon
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To: decimon

6 posted on 02/25/2011 6:44:37 AM PST by Bean Counter (Stout Hearts)
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To: decimon

7 posted on 02/25/2011 6:47:50 AM PST by Bean Counter (Stout Hearts)
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To: Bean Counter

How many teeth does Murkowski have?


8 posted on 02/25/2011 6:53:23 AM PST by decimon
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To: decimon

With a jaw like that, would you like to go count them??

“Just look at those snappers!”


9 posted on 02/25/2011 7:23:22 AM PST by Bean Counter (Stout Hearts)
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To: decimon; Slings and Arrows; Glenn; republicangel; Beaker; BADROTOFINGER; etabeta; asgardshill; ...

10 posted on 02/25/2011 10:54:25 AM PST by Slings and Arrows (You can't have Ingsoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

Technically a “kitty” ping. A great, big, beautiful kitty ping.

I like the archeology threads.


11 posted on 02/25/2011 11:10:21 AM PST by TheOldLady ("I am optimistic... [and] greatly heartened by the response of America in 2010..." - Lazamataz)
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.
12 posted on 02/25/2011 11:11:44 AM PST by TheOldLady
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To: decimon

Top or bottom?


13 posted on 02/25/2011 11:13:27 AM PST by Lando Lincoln
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To: decimon
And then there is ... Macrochelys temminckii


14 posted on 02/25/2011 11:19:26 AM PST by pabianice
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To: Lando Lincoln
Top or bottom?

You're asking about Murkowski or making me an offer?

Assuming it's about Murkowski, I can see just her bottom teeth and there appears to be many.

15 posted on 02/25/2011 11:19:40 AM PST by decimon
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To: TheOldLady
Technically a “kitty” ping. A great, big, beautiful kitty ping.

Throw him some catnip and he'll be a big ol' bundle of purr.

16 posted on 02/25/2011 12:00:02 PM PST by Slings and Arrows (You can't have Ingsoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

Yes, and I’ll throw it from far, far away.


17 posted on 02/25/2011 12:14:14 PM PST by TheOldLady
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To: decimon

Bunk beds?


18 posted on 02/25/2011 1:10:26 PM PST by Lando Lincoln
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To: Lando Lincoln
Bunk beds?

Yeah, that's it.

19 posted on 02/25/2011 1:33:01 PM PST by decimon
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To: Bean Counter

Texas Guppy. Those make good bait.


20 posted on 02/25/2011 1:41:51 PM PST by darth
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