Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why are collarbones reduced or absent in many carnivores?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
carnivore
Adult snow leopards (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncia) can grow to a length of about 2.1 meters (7 feet) from head to tail and weigh 23–41 kg (50–90 pounds).
In the order Carnivora, the clavicles (collarbones) are either reduced or entirely absent. When they are present, they are typically embedded in muscle without articulating with other bones.1
This anatomical reduction serves two primary functional purposes:
- Increased Flexibility: The absence of a rigid bony connection between the shoulder and the sternum allows for greater flexibility in the shoulder area.1
- Injury Prevention: By removing the rigid strut of the clavicle, the animal avoids the risk of bone breakage when it springs upon its prey.1
More broadly, in many cursorial (running) mammals, the reduction or loss of the clavicle permits freer, more efficient forward movement of the humerus (upper arm bone).2