Carnivore Astragali
Here are a few examples of a durable ankle bone - the astragalus - from some carnivores.
The astragalus articulates with the tibia-fibula and with another durable, diagnostic ankle bone, the calcaneum.
You can make some estimations of the relative size of these carnivores based on the comparison of these bones.
There are two amphicyonids, one canid, and two ursids represented here. All but the cave bear astragalus are from Florida.
(This image is best viewed by clicking on the "options" button
on the upper right of this page => "view all sizes" => "large".)
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© ©Harry Pristis 2009
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