Which comparison provides a better mental model for the physical structure of Thylacoleo carnifex than a sleek feline?
Answer
An animal built like a heavy-set badger but the size of a large puma
The creature’s physical profile is best understood not as a sleek cat, but as a stocky, heavily muscled animal. The text suggests that visualizing it as similar in build to a heavy-set badger, though scaled up to the size of a large puma, offers a more accurate mental representation. This highlights its dense musculature, particularly in the forelimbs and jaw, suggesting power and bulk over grace and speed for extended pursuits.

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