The Kolponomos, also known as “Sea Bear,” is a mysterious creature that became extinct over 23 million years ago. It had eating habits similar to those of a sea otter, but a skull structure similar to a bear’s. Only four kolponomos skulls are known to exist, and no other bones have been found.
Upon further examination of the skulls, scientist Z. Jack Tseng discovered that the jaw of the Kolponomos was similar to the jaw of a saber-toothed tiger. Based on the way its jaw was shaped, Tseng hypothesized that the kolponomos used its jaw to anchor its head to one side of its prey; much like a saber-toothed tiger used its bottom jaw to anchor itself against their prey.
Using a computer software that tests the stress on different structures, Tseng tested the stress points of the kolponomos and the saber-toothed tiger’s jaws. He discovered that they had a lot in common. The kolponomos applied a lot of pressure on its bottom jaw, allowing it to crush the shells of clams and other shelled materials. The jaw of the sabre-toothed tiger showed similar results. The tiger most likely used its bottom jaw to capture and crush its prey.
This discovery is just scratching the surface of what we know about fossils. Because of this software, we might be able to discover what happened to dinosaurs. Technology is changing what we know about the world.
Works Cited
Weisberger, Mindy. "Extinct Sea Bear Chowed Down Like a Saber-Toothed Cat." LiveScience.
TechMedia Network, 02 Mar. 2016. Web. 02 Mar. 2016. <http://tinyurl.com/gljmm63>.
Upon further examination of the skulls, scientist Z. Jack Tseng discovered that the jaw of the Kolponomos was similar to the jaw of a saber-toothed tiger. Based on the way its jaw was shaped, Tseng hypothesized that the kolponomos used its jaw to anchor its head to one side of its prey; much like a saber-toothed tiger used its bottom jaw to anchor itself against their prey.
Using a computer software that tests the stress on different structures, Tseng tested the stress points of the kolponomos and the saber-toothed tiger’s jaws. He discovered that they had a lot in common. The kolponomos applied a lot of pressure on its bottom jaw, allowing it to crush the shells of clams and other shelled materials. The jaw of the sabre-toothed tiger showed similar results. The tiger most likely used its bottom jaw to capture and crush its prey.
This discovery is just scratching the surface of what we know about fossils. Because of this software, we might be able to discover what happened to dinosaurs. Technology is changing what we know about the world.
Works Cited
Weisberger, Mindy. "Extinct Sea Bear Chowed Down Like a Saber-Toothed Cat." LiveScience.
TechMedia Network, 02 Mar. 2016. Web. 02 Mar. 2016. <http://tinyurl.com/gljmm63>.
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