Skulls, Skeletons, Canines & Claws

[peter]

I follow the proceedings with interest Grizzly, but don't feel competent in this department. I never measured claws of sedated or dead big cats, because I knew biologists never measured claws. This means I wouldn't be able to compare them to claws of wild big cats. I did notice that captive male Amur tigers often had very large fore-arms, paws and claws. The difference with captive male lions in this respect often was striking. Continue in the claw department, as it's interesting information.

The upper canines of an Amur tiger recently posted by Betty on this thread seem out of this world. Must have been an enormous male. 

I guess you saw the table about lions in northern Namibia I recently posted. I'll post a new one soon, as we now have information about 13 males and 6 females. One of the males was 11 feet in total length 'over curves', but I was much more surprised about the females. One of them was 10.5 'over curves' in total length. Never heard of a wild lioness or tigress even getting close. This to say that wild lions (and females in particular) can get to a great size at times. I wonder if these extra-large individuals produce upper canines and claws that compare to those of large wild tigers. You found enough to get to a kind of conclusion for now? Reply