Wednesday, November 23, 2011

DINOFELIS (“Terrible Cat”): Nightmares


As a member of the Machairodontinae (Saber-Toothed Cats) Subfamily, Dinofelis is an ancient cousin to the more famous Smilodon (Saber-toothed Cat).  Referred to as a “False Saber-toothed Cat”, his canines, that were short and blunt, resembled small sabers.  Similar to a modern Jaguar, Dinofelis climbed trees and ambushed his prey.
            Living about eight million years ago (mya) to one and half mya (during the Pliocene epoch), Dinofelis roamed throughout Africa, Eurasia, and North America.  Living in densely forested areas, He stalked his prey through undercover of the brush.  However the world became colder, the forests shrank, and thus Dinofelis’ range became more and more restricted.
            Early Man’s worst nightmare was Dinofelis, since his favorite food was Australopithecus (early ancestor of modern Humans).  Some paleontologists theorized that Dinofelis may have forced Hominids out from their forest homes.  Once out in the savannah, Australopithecus, who walked upright, could see Dinofelis prowling about in the tall grass.
            Dinofelis stalks us in our dreams and menaces our spirits.  He can still be our worst nightmare, since our response to Him determines how we live our present life.  We can choose to face the terror and find a new way to live.  Or we can choose to run away and risk being eaten by Him.  Once we face our terror that Dinofelis presents, He will cease to frighten us.

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