Photo: Ancient Lion With "Bolt Cutter" Jaws: Best Killer Ever?

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


This digital 3-D simulation of an extinct marsupial lion Thylacoleo carnifex (top) compared with a modern-day African lion (bottom) shows that the ancient lion could deliver a bite far more lethal than any carnivore living or extinct.

The ancient predator would ambush prey many times its own size and weight, and rapidly dispatch its victim with devastating jaws.

Image courtesy Stephen Wroe/University of New South Wales

MOST VIEWED NEWS

PICTURES: 2012 Doomsday Myths Debunked

2012: Six End-of-the-World Myths Debunked

APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.