Millions of years ago, an impressive variety of false sabre-tooth cats roamed North America. The mystery of their disappearance has now been cracked
Ken Barber/Alamy; Schankz/Shutterstock; Advia Image/Shutterstock; Koktaro/Shutterstock
LOOKING out over an expanse of scrubby sagebrush, it is hard to imagine that the high desert in eastern Oregon was once home to large creatures that resembled sabre-toothed cats. The land here is mostly dry and grassy, punctuated by sharp hills. There isn’t a lot to crouch behind while waiting to ambush prey, and little in the way of trees to climb or sharpen claws on: in some places, the only sign of plant life is a layer of lichen on the rust-coloured slopes. But it wasn’t always like this.
This was part of the territory of the nimravids, ancient beasts also known as false sabre-toothed cats. Fossilised remains indicate that for more than 12 million years,from Florida to New Mexico and up beyond what is now the Canadian border. Then, around 23 million years ago, they disappeared. The trail went cold, and the fossil record suggests that there were no cats on the continent for the next 6.5 million years.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FAA Briefly Grounded Planes in Western U.S. Around Time North Korea Tested MissileThe FAA said Tuesday that it briefly paused departures at some West Coast airports Monday evening. It’s unclear if the action was connected to missile test.
Read more »
‘Fresh Meat’ Sells in North America Ahead of 10-Year Anniversary Reunion – Global BulletinSALES Channel 4’s classic series “Fresh Meat,” a still-popular dramatic comedy about student life, will celebrate its ten-year anniversary this weekend with a cast and creators’ reunion in Lo…
Read more »
US imposes sanctions on North Korean and Russian individuals tied to North Korea's missile programsThe US on Wednesday announced sanctions on eight North Korean and Russian individuals and entities for supporting North Korea's ballistic missile programs, imposing the punishments after a pair of new missile tests by North Korea in the last week.
Read more »
Spotty, Light Rain & Sleet Pellets Possible Today In Parts Of North TexasMorning temperatures across North Texas again started off around freezing. A few showers and drizzle are possible, especially during the afternoon, south of Interstate-20.
Read more »
The ‘hottest’ North Texas ZIP codes to live in have this in commonHere are the most popular ZIP codes in North Texas, according to a report from real estate website Opendoor.
Read more »
More Than 100 North Philadelphia Residents Without Power After Vehicle Crashes Into Pole, Causes FireJUST IN: More than 100 residents in North Philadelphia are without power Tuesday morning after a car crashed into a pole and caused a fire.
Read more »