What critical metric highlights Thylacoleo's extraordinary bite performance relative to its size?
The ratio of bite force to body mass.
While the absolute bite force estimated for Thylacoleo carnifex was formidable, perhaps rivaling or exceeding that of a modern lion, the most distinguishing feature derived from fossil analysis is the bite force scaled against the animal's body mass. Thylacoleo was only roughly the size of a jaguar or a large leopard, weighing perhaps up to 130 kilograms. When comparing the estimated force generated to this relatively small mass, the resulting bite pressure, or relative force, becomes extraordinary. This metric demonstrates superior mechanical efficiency—the animal exerted disproportionately high pressure on its target compared to much larger contemporary predators, meaning it punched far above its weight class in terms of relative predatory impact.
