Re: Dromaeosaur "sickle" claws

["Michael" <tons@ccs.netside.com>]

> From:          "Matthew Troutman" <m_troutman@hotmail.com>

Snips here and there. 
First of NO claw is specifically adapted to slice or sickle prey. Not 
> even cat claws. . It is highly unlikely that any animal is adapted to
 slash and slice prey with claws.

> If any of you have ever seen a cat kill something it does not slice it, 
> it STABS it. The only things that are adapted for slicing are serrated, 
> recurved teeth. NOT claws. 

Most cats kill by suffocation.  This includes the muzzle as well as 
the neck.  Here fangs are used to hold on.  I don't know of any 
extant cat that kills by stabbing.  Supposedly saber toothed cats did 
although, AFAIK, no ones knows for certain how they actually did that 
either.  

The leopard usually kills by suffocation as well, but will disembowel 
its prey with its hind claws.  So while not a primary killing method, 
its claws can be used in that manner and they are not serrated.

If a cat could use that method, perhaps so could a dinosaur with a 
larger claw.

In sword combat, a skilled warrior uses it as a cutting weapon.  The 
sword is placed on the opponent and pulled primarily although there 
are techniques and schools that teach to cut by pushing and pulling.  
The sword can also be used to hack such as the broadsword and the 
katana.  What does this have to do with claws?  Technique means a 
lot in combat as well as weaponry.

As always, this is only an opinion, subject to
retraction and recall without notice, and with 
due respect to others opinions.

Thanks,

Michael Teuton MD