Friday 9 July 2010

'Native cat' fossil discovered in Queensland

http://www.news.com.au/features/environment/bizarre-sabre-toothed-cat-fossil-discovered-in-riversleigh/story-e6frflp0-1225889603135

AUSTRALIAN scientists have unearthed the remains of a small bizarre, prehistoric, sabre-toothed cat in an ancient former rainforest, where specimens stretch back 25 million years.

Lead paleontologist Henk Godthelp said it was the first time the carnivore - with fangs half the length of its skull, which fits into the palm of an adult human hand - had been seen in Australia, calling it an exciting and unique discovery.

"It's sort of like a native cat with a broad flattish head with large canines," Dr Godthelp said. "It's an animal we don't think we've seen before up at Riversleigh, so it was quite a nice find for us."

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