Throat clamp
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2015) |
Throat clamp is a method of subduing that involves the
Cats use this technique to kill prey while dogs and hyenas use this to weaken the prey before eating it, generally alive. It's more often used than the
Usage
If the prey is on the ground and pinned, most predators position themselves behind the animal to use their body's weight to help control the movements of the prey and reach around to grab the throat, usually twisting the head around, aiding in both their grasp and the blocking of the windpipe.
If the prey is standing, a solitary predator can use a throat clamp usually only if the prey is small or in
Anatomy
Strong canines are generally required for this move: canines that are too short won't penetrate deeply enough and struggling prey can tear free, while canines that are too long or weak can be broken in the struggle with large prey. This fact created a controversy that is still generally unresolved as to the killing tactics of the extinct carnivores
Most often, the canines pierce the prey behind the windpipe so that it is not torn, but compressed between premolars of upper and lower jaws. It can be compared to the
Alternative forms
Occasionally, and as suggested for the killing method of
References
- .
- ISBN 0-231-10229-1.