“What is in an Arm?” Powerpoint supplement to iDigFossils lesson plan developed by Sharon E. Holte and Maggie Paxson in collaboration with Victor Perez and Alex Lounders

Lion Panthera leo Habitat: Savannah Conservation Status: Endangered Predators: No natural predators Prey: Most commonly eat gazelles, zebras, and impalas Unique Hunting Adaptations: Most frequent form of hunting method includes grappling the prey and using their jaws to strangle the prey’s throat Interesting Facts: Male coalitions are sometimes formed between brothers in order to take over another lion’s pride and hunting area

Mountain Lion Puma concolor Habitat: Mountainous, or montane coniferous forests, lowland tropical forests, grassland, and dry brush country Conservation Status: Endangered Predators: No natural predators Prey: Moose, elk, deer, or sometimes smaller prey-like squirrels or rabbits Unique Hunting Adaptations: Breaks the neck of larger prey by pouncing on their back and biting into the area just below the skull Interesting Facts: Compared to the African lion, the mountain lions are solitary animals

Ocelot Leopardus pardalis Habitat: Tropical forests, savannah grasslands, mangrove forests and marshes Conservation Status: Least concern Predators: Harpy eagles, pumas, jaguars, and anacondas Prey: Primarily eat small rodents such as rats and mice Unique Hunting Adaptations: Hunts by tracking odor trails left by prey Interesting Facts: Opportunistic hunter that preys upon many different types of animals

Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa Habitat: Tropical rainforests at elevations up to 3000 meters Conservation Status: Vulnerable Predators: Tigers and leopards Prey: Various birds, fish, and domestic animals such as pigs and goats Unique Hunting Adaptations: Breaks prey’s spine by biting the back of their neck Interesting Facts: Acrobatic and have been known to perform feats including slowly walking down a tree head first, or hanging from a branch using only their hind feet

Bobcat Lynx rufus Habitat: Forests, semi-deserts, mountains, and brushlands Conservation Status: Endangered Predators: Foxes, coyotes, and owls Prey: Small mammals, birds, and reptiles Unique Hunting Adaptations: Kills with a bite to the neck Interesting Facts: Becoming increasingly situated to urban and suburban settings, though will rarely be seen due to their reclusive nature

Domestic Cat Felis catus Habitat: Human habitation or developed areas Conservation Status: Abundant Predators: Most wild predators such as foxes or other larger felines or canids Prey: Small mammals such as rats, mice, and birds Unique Hunting Adaptations: Sever the spinal cord of prey by biting the back of the neck Interesting Facts: Cats cannot see most colors

Grey Wolf Canis lupus Habitat: Wide variety of habitats from arctic tundra to forest, prairie, and arid landscapes Conservation Status: Stable Predators: Coyotes Prey: Varies geographically, ranges from moose to elk and smaller prey such as rabbits Unique Hunting Adaptations: Hunting in packs, the grey wolf attacks shoulders and hind areas Interesting Facts: Largest member of the canid family still alive

Bush Dog Speothos venaticus Habitat: Forests and wet savannahs Conservation Status: Vulnerable Predators: Inconclusive Prey: Large rodents such as capybaras Unique Hunting Adaptations: Webbed toes allow them to chase prey through bodies of water Interesting Facts: While most canids have 42 teeth, the bush dog only has 38

Habitat: Forest, tundra, prairie, desert, mountains, farmlands, and urban areas Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Conservation Status: Stable Predators: Eagles, coyotes, gray wolves, bears, and mountain lions Prey: Mostly eat rodents, rabbits, and insects, but can also eat fruit Unique Hunting Adaptations: Standing motionless, the fox listens for any small prey in the vicinity, then jumps high to pounce on them if detected Interesting Facts: Fox dens may be used to house multiple generations

Coyote Canis latrans Habitat: Forests, grasslands, deserts, and swamps Conservation Status: Widespread Predators: Gray wolves, mountain lions Prey: Versatile eating habits, though most commonly eat small rodents Unique Hunting Adaptations: Use advanced pack hunting tactics such as taking turns pursuing a single prey, or chasing it towards hidden members of their pack Interesting Facts: Will eat almost anything, ranging from human trash to fruits and vegetables

Arctic Fox Vulpes lagopus Habitat: Arctic and alpine tundra Conservation Status: Stable Predators: Polar bears, wolves Prey: Prefers small mammals, but will eat insects and berries, and leftovers from larger predators Unique Hunting Adaptations: Apart from pouncing on small rodents similar to the red fox, the arctic fox also sometimes follows around larger predators like the polar bear in hopes of scavenging off it Interesting Facts: Arctic foxes collect a surplus amount of food and bring it back to their dens, where it is stored under stones for later use

Domestic Dog Canis lupus familiaris Habitat: Human habitats or other developed areas Conservation Status: Not threatened Predators: Wolves, coyotes, and jackals Prey: Ranges from small mammals to birds and fruit Unique Hunting Adaptations: Breeds range from enhanced smelling to smaller bodies that allow them to chase smaller prey into tunnels Interesting Facts: A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute as that of humans

Day 3 Specimens--Additional forelimbs and classification

Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Habitat: Favored habitat include grasslands and deserts Conservation Status: Vulnerable species Predators: Lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards Prey: Gazelles, hares, and birds Unique Hunting Adaptations: Cheetahs use their incredible speed to chase down prey, knocking them down and strangling them with their powerful jaws Interesting Facts: Cheetahs are the fastest land mammal on earth. Their claws are also unable to retract fully, allowing the cheetah to grip the ground while running.

Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta Habitat: Favored habitats include semi-deserts, savannahs, and mountainous forests Conservation Status: Lower risk species Predators: Lions Prey: Wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, as well as numerous other smaller mammals Unique Hunting Adaptations: Hyenas hunt in packs, using their keen senses of sight, hearing, and smell. This also helps them scavenge the kills of other predators. Interesting Facts: While having a reputation as scavengers, 70% of a hyena’s diet comes from prey they caught themselves. Crocuta crocuta

Metatomarctos Habitat: Favored habitat thought to be woodland savanna Conservation Status: Extinct Predators: Possibly beardogs and Phoberocyon (extinct bear) Prey: small extinct horses (22-66 lbs) Unique Hunting Adaptations: Thought to be more felid-like (grappling) in the way they capture prey. Interesting Facts: Belongs to a group of canids called Borophagines. Borophagines are thought to be bone-crushing (chew on bones for their marrow) similar to modern hyenas. Metatomarctos