Giant Cheetah found in Georgia

Adam Khor

Remains of a Giant Cheetah (Acinonyx pardinensis) have been found in Dmanisi, in the Republic of Georgia, for the first time.
Although it's not a new species, its the first time its fossils are found in this site/country, although fossils of two sabertoothed cats (Megantereon and Homotherium) had been found in Dmanisi before.

(Acinonyx pardiniensis, background, compared to living cheetah)

According to the article, Giant Cheetah kills may have provided free meals for scavengers including Homo erectus, which also lived in that region about 1.8 million years ago. Whether the cat preyed on the hominid once in a while is open to debate.

http://www.livescience.com/15558-largest-cheetah-lived-killed-ancient-humans.html

Galvasean

To be honest, I think they use the word 'giant' here quite loosely. He's not giant par sé, more like 'uncharacteristically large'.

Adam Khor

Galvasean wrote: »

To be honest, I think they use the word 'giant' here quite loosely. He's not giant par sé, more like 'uncharacteristically large'.

Haha what did u expect? A T-Rex sized cat?

... on second thought, its an awesome idea.

Kess73

Galvasean wrote: »

To be honest, I think they use the word 'giant' here quite loosely. He's not giant par sé, more like 'uncharacteristically large'.

Compared to the modern day version it is a giant. Roughly twice the size and probably had a weight that doubled it's modern day counterpart.

Galvasean

When I read 'giant cheetah' I'm thinking of something the size of a lion. This guy is just plus sized.

Adam Khor

Galvasean wrote: »

When I read 'giant cheetah' I'm thinking of something the size of a lion. This guy is just plus sized.

Well it IS the size of a lioness, and probably was taller...

Alvin T. Grey

For a cheetah that is a giant. I'm sure a modern cheetah would look at this guy and say "Damn you are big".