There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Interesting, Epaiva. Could you get hold of the precise measurements (in mm.) of all skulls and add a few details (source, age, year, gender, captive, wild)? Things like that. The more details, the better.
It would be very nice if you could show all skulls of big cats next to each other. This will enable readers to see the differences between them at a glance. Thanks in advance.
Is possible for a modern lion/tiger skull to attain above 30 cm in the zygomatic width?
Here is a male liger skull from the online taxidermist @oddarticulations.
The total length is 410 mm and width is 308 mm, the rostrum looks to be around 135 mm.
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
I just asked @oddarticulations on Instagram about the current measurements of the largest liger skull. It is actually 409.58mm long and 299.40mm wide. Do skulls shrink in size after awhile?
But anyway, I do think the largest modern tiger and lion skull (liger skull included) should be around 17 inches in length and around 12 inches in width.
I remember, that when I searched for information about it, that how bones change in time when drying after death, that there is some marginal change in size. It was some time ago and not the easiest issue to find good information. But as far as I remember, bones (and naturally including skull) do shrink marginally in time. But I don´t feel comfortable to put here any estimations because I don´t remember now too well, that what was meant by marginal there.