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Lot 8346¤
Mounted Cat Skeleton
Withdrawn
Amended
3 December 2006, 11:00 PST
Los AngelesUS$35,000 - US$45,000
Mounted Cat Skeleton
Hoplophoneus primaevus
Oligocene
White River Badlands, Wyoming
Though this beautiful and expressive skeleton looks like a true cat, it is not. Hoplophoneus primaevus is a member of the Nimravidae, or false saber tooth cat, family. In many ways it does look like a true cat and probably had the same life style as a saber-tooth, yet there are several small skull bone structures that help separate the Nimravidae from the Felidae. Its large recurved sabers slid along two large flanges on the lower jaw. In addition to its large canines, and the ability to open its jaw wider than normal cats, it also had a strong body, stout neck and legs and highly developed retractile claws. Its prey might have been the thick-hided small rhinoceroses, early horses and oreodonts. It was a quick and active hunter and was the top predator of its day. The present specimen exhibits a fine skull with original sabers. The skeleton is approximately 75 per cent complete. Mounted on a metal stand. Measures 51in
Oligocene
White River Badlands, Wyoming
Though this beautiful and expressive skeleton looks like a true cat, it is not. Hoplophoneus primaevus is a member of the Nimravidae, or false saber tooth cat, family. In many ways it does look like a true cat and probably had the same life style as a saber-tooth, yet there are several small skull bone structures that help separate the Nimravidae from the Felidae. Its large recurved sabers slid along two large flanges on the lower jaw. In addition to its large canines, and the ability to open its jaw wider than normal cats, it also had a strong body, stout neck and legs and highly developed retractile claws. Its prey might have been the thick-hided small rhinoceroses, early horses and oreodonts. It was a quick and active hunter and was the top predator of its day. The present specimen exhibits a fine skull with original sabers. The skeleton is approximately 75 per cent complete. Mounted on a metal stand. Measures 51in
Footnotes
Without Reserve
Saleroom notices
Withdrawn

