How did Thylacoleo carnifex's dentition differ from slicing canines typical of modern cats?
It possessed relatively short canines but incredibly massive, specialized premolars.
The dental configuration of Thylacoleo carnifex represented a significant evolutionary departure from the typical predatory strategy seen in modern Felidae. While modern cats typically employ long, sharp canines for deep puncture and slicing meat, Thylacoleo featured canines described as relatively short. The true specialization lay in its massive premolars. These teeth were not designed for simple shearing like carnassials found in placental carnivores; instead, they were robustly built and adapted to deliver immense pressure, functioning more like heavy-duty nutcrackers or bone-crushing shears. This structure implies an evolutionary focus on breaking hard material rather than just tearing flesh.
