Expert: Fady D. Isho - 11/11/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello yet again. Your answers are always satisfactory.
Were there any prehistoric whales that could prey on Carcharodon megalodon?
Barbourofelis (false sabertooth) vs Epicyon (bone-crushing dog)
Daeodon vs Moropus
Elasmotherium vs Steppe Mammoth
Thanks again

ANSWER: Hi, again David


Where there any prehistoric whales that could prey on Carcharodon megalodon ? I don't think any whales could really prey on Megalodon with the exception of perhaps Basilosaurus which was huge and I think if it managed to bite the lower belly of megalodon enough times it could manage to kill it of course if it where to waste an ambush biting the top of body or some other place like that megalodon could just swim away of course since I don't know where Basilosaurus bit I can't say for sure.

Barbourofelis vs Epicyon, Barbourfelis it was more powerfully built and probably much much much stronger. However I would think that Epicyon had a more powerful bite I could see this fight drawing out as many feline vs canine conflicts in which the dog rushes the cat and the cat uses it's forequarters to control the dogs mouth or to keep away from them by hitting the dog in which the cat ends up killing the wolf or driving it away some of the best fighters as canines although would have good chances because they get the feline tired first and then attack of course no grey wolf would stand a whisker of a chance against Barbourofelis.

Daeodon vs Moropus, I think the Daeodon would have the advantage it is more robustly built and better armed than moropus which would probably try to use its claws against Daeodon while Daedon would likely use it's jaws against this type of animal which if where not available because of a position or whatever would use its hooves. If they where both facing each other the Daeodon would probably charge and hit the moropus somewhere in the chest or belly area and keep hitting the same area with its head gashing wounds and what not until the moropus retreated or died the moropus best chance would be to rake the eyes and use its forequarters to bring the Daeodon down.

Elasmotherium vs Steppe Mammoth, I would say the Steppe Mammoth would have the advantage unless the Elasmohterium where to charge the Steppe Mammoth and hit it with its horn. In close range combat the Steppe Mammoth would probably use its tusks to keep the Elasmotherium and its deadly horn away from it it and strike with its tusks after it has good distance from the Elasmotherium. Of course the Elasmotherium would be at a disadvantage in what it could do probably for the most parts headbutts and short slashes with its horn as it was very robustly built.

I hope this helps.

Feel free to ask again.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It helps, quite a bit. Still, how would a mammoth deal damage with its tusks? They curve so far back that they couldn't impale anything.
The Daeodon fight makes sense considering how well-protected their heads are.
How about a Jefferson sloth against a Short-faced bear?
Also, do jaguars prey on giant anteaters?
Thank you

Answer
Hi, again David

Well I don't think mammoths used there tusks like elephants rather getting the tusks under the animal and flicking the head up or slashing the slides, or to keep another animal away.

http://www.phancocks.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/naturalhistory/mammoth%20skull.jpg

See the downward slope helps slashing the lower belly. Of course this was probably not there main function. In fact I think if used correctly they could be more deadly than an elephants tusks!

Jefferson ground sloth vs Short faced bear, probably the short faced bear scientists have thought about this battle in the past and they thought if it where to happen both would stand on there hindlegs and strike each other with there claws as the short faced bear would have a long reach and the Jefferson ground sloth although almost double the weight of the bear would probably use its claws to inflict devastating injuries to the bear although bears are so powerful the Giant short faced bear could probably crush the skull of the Jefferson ground sloth or bite the shoulder and sentence the Jefferson ground sloth to death.

Yes jaguars do prey on giant anteaters the giant anteaters main enemies are the puma,jaguar, and humans. Although giant anteaters have been known to kill jaguar cubs.

I hope this helps.

Feel fere to ask again.