Rare Sabertooth Cat Vertebrae, Dinictis sp, Fossil, South Dakota, Oligocene K078

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Ryan's Rare Coins and Antiquities Quality items at an affordable price Fossil Sabertooth Cat Type: This is a sabertooth cat vertebrae from, Dinictis sp . It was found with other fragmented Dinictis remains weathered on the surface. In total 11 vertebrae, one leg complete leg bone and some bits were found. This listing is for ONE vertebrae, the one pictured above. Cat material is very uncommon and skulls and skeletons sell for many thousands of dollars. For most collectors, sabertooth material is highly desirable but almost impossible to locate. These small remains are a great way to fill out the collection of white river mammals without breaking the bank.Locality: Private land in Pennington County, South DakotaAge: Oligocene, 30 Million Years AgoRead below pictures for information about the area it was found.Note that ruler increments are 1/16 inch. Nimravidae Cat-like predators, Hoplophoneus and Dinictis The most specialized of all carnivores are the nimravids, primitive saber-toothed predators distantly related to the more familiar but later appearing true cats of the family Felidae. Like true felids, nimravids were obligate carnivores, and had large eyes placed frontally for binocular vision. Nimravids are cat-like in general appearance (short faced with hooded retractable claws and reduced posterior molars) and were probably able to climb trees. Their predatory adaptations are readily apparent, particularly in their saber-shaped canines and most were designed as ambush predators, probably well camouflaged and able to take prey that is both smaller and larger than themselves. Among all the different mammals found in the White River Badlands, and especially the predators, nimravid "cats" are among the rarest fossils of all.Nimravids entered North America during the late Eocene and occupied the niche of modern felids until they disappeared in the very late Oligocene. Only Barbourofelis remains as a possible nimravid despite its appearance in the late Miocene. From the time of their general disappearance at the end of the Oligocene until the appearance of true Felidae from Europe in the early Miocene, North America lacked a cat-like predator for 5 million years.The cat-like nimravids as well as all true cats had/have enlarged canines divided into three shapes: highly elongate, flattened canines with fine serrations (dirk-toothed); somewhat elongated, more coarsely serrated flattened canines (scimitar-toothed); and short round conical canines like the ones found in modern felids. The dirk-toothed forms (Hoplophoneus and Eusmilus) tended to be short legged and more plantigrade, and ranged in size from that of a puma, in the case of Hoplophoneus primaveus, to that of a jaguar (Holophoneus occidentalis and Eusmilus). Dirk-toothed species were badger or bear-like in proportions and probably ambushed their prey. The scimitar-toothed Dinictis was smaller but gave rise to the jaguar-sized Nimravus and Pognodon, both genera of which were more cursorial.Dinictis and Hoplophoneus were the most common nimravids found in the White River Badlands. Hoplophoneus was a long sleek cat, measuring 4ft in length plus tail, with short legs, a stout muscular neck and nearly the size of a modern leopard. Both Hoplophoneus and the smaller, lynx-sized Dinictis were characterized by a skull which allowed the jaw to open incredibly wide. This was thought to allow the nimravid to kill by stabbing its prey with its large canines. Nimravids must have been one of the most feared hunters of these times. Its strong fast body, amazing bite and sharp claws would have been deadly to many Badlands herbivores.Habitat preference played a key role in the evolution and distribution of nimravids. The dirk-toothed Hoplophoneus probably lived in more forested habitats than did the long-limbed, scimitar-toothed Dinictis of more open grassland, the latter group stalking its prey prior to attack. Regardless, the opening of the heavily forested Eocene woodlands into parkland and savanna hab... read more

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