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.
09-09-2015, 11:53 PM( This post was last modified: 09-09-2015, 11:53 PM by Pckts )
I wonder if it has to do with making the kill as well.
I have noticed that Tigers tend to hold fast on their kills throat or spine while lions don't hold on as long since they have more mouth's to help with the kill. Maybe also since their large prey usually has back up so they are forced to release more often while tigers like to separate their large prey and make quick kills if possible.
So maybe the curved canine allows them to withstand the tug of war motion while maintaining their bite.
09-10-2015, 12:00 AM( This post was last modified: 09-10-2015, 02:03 AM by GrizzlyClaws )
Tiger's fangs are long enough to instantly crush the windpipe, and they are deeply rooted as well, unlikely the sabertooths fang which were designed purely for exsanguination.
I think the longer fangs with a slightly curved folding angle could prevent the fangs getting snapped during the struggle with the large prey when the fangs sink deeply into the throat.
The neck of those large bovids are really thick, and it can seriously snap the fangs if it got a violent struggle.
09-10-2015, 12:11 AM( This post was last modified: 09-10-2015, 12:40 AM by GrizzlyClaws )
Those subfossils from Manchuria are mostly belonged to the fauna that dated less than 10,000 years old. Those are used for the fossil collection.
While those old tiger fangs in China that dated about 50-100 years were used the traditional medicine purpose.
Recently, there are also many lion fangs appear among the private collections, some of these specimens are wild from the big game hunting, while some others from the captive specimens.