Predators and Scavengers
Predators and scavengers that transport carcasses into caves are frequently responsible for large accumulations of bones, especially when caves are occupied as lairs for several successive generations.
Many studies have been done of the bone accumulations of carnivores and rodents in caves and rock shelters, including both modern dens and fossil dens. Modern dens include those of hyenas and leopards, fossil dens are mainly sabertooth cats.
When a leopard makes a kill
in carries the
carcass to its den or hangs it in a tree. Here it
is safe from other scavengers and the leopard
can return to a guaranteed supply of meet.
