Skulls, Skeletons, Canines & Claws

[drumiz]

In relation to claws of large felids, 

• Does anyone know available data on the size and shape variation of the claws of one single individual cat? 
• Are dew claws always the largest ones? This is clear in the puma and the cheetah (just in case, in the Bone Clones sample picture [https://paoloviscardi.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/claws.jpg] the labels for Cheetah's dew and front claws are wrongly reversed, but corrected in other versions of the add). 
• Do jaguar, lion or tiger also show larger dew claws as in puma? 
• Is it possible to identify by shape and size the position of an isolated claw (attached to its bone), as coming from the front or hind paw, # I, II, III, IV or V; and from the right or left side? 
  

Thanks a lot, I  appreciate all your help. Reply

[peter]

(11-01-2024, 02:27 AM)drumiz Wrote: In relation to claws of large felids, 

• Does anyone know available data on the size and shape variation of the claws of one single individual cat? 
• Are dew claws always the largest ones? This is clear in the puma and the cheetah (just in case, in the Bone Clones sample picture [https://paoloviscardi.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/claws.jpg] the labels for Cheetah's dew and front claws are wrongly reversed, but corrected in other versions of the add). 
• Do jaguar, lion or tiger also show larger dew claws as in puma? 
• Is it possible to identify by shape and size the position of an isolated claw (attached to its bone), as coming from the front or hind paw, # I, II, III, IV or V; and from the right or left side? 
  

Thanks a lot, I  appreciate all your help.

Hi Drumiz,

Contact our mod 'GrizzlyClaws'. He's your man. You can also visit the threads he created. Some have detailed information about about the claw length of a number of big cat species. 

Any particular reason for your interest? 

Hope your enjoy your time at Wildfact,

Peter. Reply

[GrizzlyClaws]

(11-01-2024, 02:27 AM)drumiz Wrote: In relation to claws of large felids, 

• Does anyone know available data on the size and shape variation of the claws of one single individual cat? 
• Are dew claws always the largest ones? This is clear in the puma and the cheetah (just in case, in the Bone Clones sample picture [https://paoloviscardi.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/claws.jpg] the labels for Cheetah's dew and front claws are wrongly reversed, but corrected in other versions of the add). 
• Do jaguar, lion or tiger also show larger dew claws as in puma? 
• Is it possible to identify by shape and size the position of an isolated claw (attached to its bone), as coming from the front or hind paw, # I, II, III, IV or V; and from the right or left side? 
  

Thanks a lot, I  appreciate all your help.

Well, I didn't have a chance to systematically sample all individuals on that thread, but the randomized sample should be large enough for you to perceive a pattern, and give you an idea about the size variation of the big cat claws.

https://wildfact.com/forum/topic-skulls-...ines-claws Reply

[drumiz]

Thanks  GrizzlyClaws and Peter for your quick response.  I am a wildlife biologist associated to a natural history museum in Bolivia, and I want to identify animal parts donated to the scientific collection but with deficient or none related data, such as isolated claws, teeth, bones and skins.   We have some identified and complete specimens for comparison (a jaguar skeleton, other carnivores,...), but not enough to answer the questions I posted.  I could not find much technical bibliography either.  So I was surprised by the amount and quality of pictures and knowledge in this forum, and I enjoy that, but I am still learning how to browse through that many threads and pages.  However, now I know who to ask!  Later I will be bothering you both  
Cheers
Damián (I should change my 'drumiz' username) Reply

[peter]

(11-01-2024, 12:13 PM)drumiz Wrote: Thanks  GrizzlyClaws and Peter for your quick response.  I am a wildlife biologist associated to a natural history museum in Bolivia, and I want to identify animal parts donated to the scientific collection but with deficient or none related data, such as isolated claws, teeth, bones and skins.   We have some identified and complete specimens for comparison (a jaguar skeleton, other carnivores,...), but not enough to answer the questions I posted.  I could not find much technical bibliography either.  So I was surprised by the amount and quality of pictures and knowledge in this forum, and I enjoy that, but I am still learning how to browse through that many threads and pages.  However, now I know who to ask!  Later I will be bothering you both  
Cheers
Damián (I should change my 'drumiz' username)

You're welcome, Damian. If you have time to read the threads Grizzly created, you'll quickly conclude he's the most knowledgeable of us. My department is skulls and body dimensions. 

Nice to read a biologist joined our community. Your compliment is much appreciated. Reply

[GrizzlyClaws]

(11-01-2024, 12:13 PM)drumiz Wrote: Thanks  GrizzlyClaws and Peter for your quick response.  I am a wildlife biologist associated to a natural history museum in Bolivia, and I want to identify animal parts donated to the scientific collection but with deficient or none related data, such as isolated claws, teeth, bones and skins.   We have some identified and complete specimens for comparison (a jaguar skeleton, other carnivores,...), but not enough to answer the questions I posted.  I could not find much technical bibliography either.  So I was surprised by the amount and quality of pictures and knowledge in this forum, and I enjoy that, but I am still learning how to browse through that many threads and pages.  However, now I know who to ask!  Later I will be bothering you both  
Cheers
Damián (I should change my 'drumiz' username)

It was some fandom collection which can't really help you to generate a paper by academic standards. Reply