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Saber-toothed cat Smilodon had surprisingly weak bite, study finds

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

New biomechanical modeling of the saber-toothed cat, Smilodon fatalis, reveals its bite force was significantly weaker than previously assumed, comparable to a large house cat rather than a lion. Researchers found that Smilodon relied more on its powerful forelimbs to subdue prey, using its iconic canines for precise, vital-severing bites once the animal was immobilized. This hunting strategy, characterized by robust forelimbs and a less powerful bite, evolved independently in unrelated lineages, such as the marsupial predator Thylacosmilus, demonstrating convergent evolution. AI

RANK_REASON The cluster reports on new findings from biomechanical modeling of a fossil species, published in scientific journals. [lever_c_demoted from research: ic=1 ai=0.1]

Read on Forbes — Innovation →

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Saber-toothed cat Smilodon had surprisingly weak bite, study finds

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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Forbes — Innovation TIER_1 English(EN) · Scott Travers, Contributor ·

    Meet ‘Smilodon’ — The Sabertooth Cat With A Bite Weaker Than A House Cat’s

    New biomechanical research shows Smilodon's legendary saber teeth came with a surprisingly weak bite — and reveals the real weapon it used to kill instead.

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