When one considers the merits of these two conflicting theories, one has to examine the behaviors and condition of modern animals, especially when making such general statements.
If one considers what happens to modern animals when they are hurt, the non-social theory would have more support. Dehydration would be the most critical factor in death after an injury. However, one flaw in this theory is that they gave no comparison of evidence to support their supposition that the animals could live on their body mass while healing. There is simply not enough known about the metabolism of the smilodon to make such as suggestion. Overall, the theories of McCall, Naples, and Martin hold more credibility than the social theories, save for the one exception.
Genetics and DNA
Several researchers were able to extract and clone DNA from the fossil bones of three different smilodons from the tar pits. They found that the smilodon is related to 15 known modern species including 9 species of cat and 6 non-feline species. This confirmed the theories that smilodon was distinct from the saber toothed cat that appeared during the Miocene period (Janczewsi and associates). The most important result that came from this study was that we now know it is possible to clone DNA and obtain valuable information.
Examining the fine structures on the large maxillary tells us that the tooth had the capability of providing sensory information to the brain (Riviere and Wheeler). Martin, Bariarz, Naples, and Hearst discussed the emergence of a new species found in Florida that had a different tooth shape than other saber-toothed cats. The canines of smilodons were different. Many of the cats in North America are known as the longer dirk-tooth. That is two finely serrated canines. These cats had short legs that were built for power rather than speed. Other cats had shorter scimitar-shaped canines and longer legs for speed. The new species found in Florida has the scimitar-tooth as well as the short limbs of the dirk-tooth cat (Slaughter, 486-492).
As far as body mass is concerned, three different species were examined (Christiansen and Harris). Based on variables from the skeletons of modern cats it was found that'd. gracilis is more comparable to the size of a modern jaguar. S fatalis was found to be somewhere close to the frame of a Siberian tiger. S. populator was larger and heavier than any living cat. Some exceptionally large specimens of S. populator have been recovered. According to the authors previous estimates were low due to a lack of data.
How the Smilodon Attacked
Rosie and Winters consulted with personnel from Rancho La Brea and the Idaho Museum of Natural History regarding many aspects of the smilodon. When one examines the plant matter found on herbivores it paints a picture of what smilodon's world would have been like. The area was a plain with patches of sagebrush, buckwheat, oak and pine. According to the authors, this would have made an excellent hiding place for the smilodon to stalk its prey.
When stalking its prey, the smilodon often injured itself and pulled soft tissues. The scars of these tissues bear the scars of these injuries. According to Rosie and Winters, the most common position for the body of a smilodon to be in when it attacked was feet forward in a lunge. This would suggest that smilodon would spring onto its prey. This theory was derived from data obtained by counting the number and location of injuries in the fossil record. It might be noted that when one compared the injuries of smilodon to canine species, there were fewer injuries from being kicked in the head. This would indicate that canine species attacked by lunging at the throat or hind quarters, whereas the smilodon landed on top of the animal's back and tried to bowl it over.
According to Rose and Winter, the smilodon's tooth was suited more for ripping a belly than sinking deep into the back. In this article William Akersten, former Rancho La Brea curator, this is similar to the manner in which a komodo dragon attacks. He explains that the saber-teeth are more suited for a forward and backward motion. Animals that attacked by biting the neck would need to be able to go side to side. There are surprisingly few broken saber teeth found. This injury was apparently rare. If the smilodon would have attacked and tried to bite the neck, one would expect to see many more broken teeth as they hit the harder bones of the bigger animal.
Ayonge (1059-1067) examined the molars and wear patterns and compared them to wear patterns on modern animals such as canids and other felids. They found that the wear patterns...
ancient Michigan basin area and discuss a brief geological history of the area and how the mammals that lived during the Ice Age adapted to their environment over the years. Use at least 12 sources of information; use quotes Michigan experienced the great Ice Age and was covered by glaciers several times. These events in turn affected the mammals that inhabited what are now the Great Lakes region and the state
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