This is the starting point for the facial reconstruction of Dinaelurus crassus:  the clay skull shown on the Research page.

Below are side, top and front views of the skull.  The front view shows the expanded sinus and nasal area, which led scientists to speculate that the creature was a cursorial predator.  It may have been a "cheetah" before there were true cheetahs ( today's cheetahs appeared in the Pliocene, whereas Dinaelurus comes from the early Miocene.

This model is actually fairly small, as shown by its size relative to the various books.  No, I didn't plan for one book to be High and Mighty -- that just happened.  The open paperback on the desk is The Big Cats and Their Fossil Relatives, text by Alan Turner and deliciously wonderful illustrations by Mauricio Anton.

Here is the skull after adding the massive jaw-closing muscles (temporalis and masseter).

     This is a close-up, showing the teeth, especially the fangs.

Dinaelurus crassus was considered a conical-tooth nimravid as compared to its sabertoothed nimravid cousin Barburofelis, but Dinaelurus still had a pretty respectable set.  It probably could deliver a nasty bite!  In the photo on the left, see how deep the fang roots are and how they shape the face.

Grrrahrrr!

The  photo at left is a reference for the bony sagattal crest and flange at the top and rear of the skull.  Because the predator's bite has to be powerful, the  muscles anchor on such a large area to spread the pulling force.  A lion or tiger has a very prominent skull crest and flange.  A cheetah has less, because its head needs to be lighter and its bite is not as powerful.  Humans have lost the skull crest, although primates such as gorillas still have it.  We use tools instead of teeth to catch our prey.

The two shots at right below show how the temporalis muscle anchors on the sagattal crest and rear skull flange.  It then feeds down under the cheekbone to insert on the jaw flange.  Because no  major muscles cover the cheekbone, it stands out on the face, just beneath the skin.  If you have a (gentle) cat or dog, you can feel this on the animal.  

These views also show how the deep muscles at the side and back of the neck anchor on the rear flange.  They tip the head forward and back, as well as rotating it.  The prominent muscle on the side of the neck that goes to the corner of the jaw is the same as the one in humans.

Now the nose cartilage, large blood vessels, whisker pad and ear cartilage. Cartilage is like bone, but not mineralized, so it remains flexible.  Your nose and ears are made from it.

I had trouble with this ear until I remembered that the ear is basically a horn in reverse - it concentrates incoming sound waves.  The interleaving flaps on the outside of the ear allows it to change shape as the animal flattens, swivels or pricks its ears.  Otherwise the ear would be too stiff, and/or the ear cartilage might break. This design gives the needed flexibility without stressing any one point.  Ingenious, isn't it!  Cats and other predatory animals have this kind of ear design. 

Here's a close-up of the sculpture so far.  I need to add eyeballs, cover them with lids, add some fatty tissue to help shape the face, and then cover it with  furry (clay) skin.  No, the jaw doesn't articulate. Clay has its limitations.

I actually started this sculpture after I did  Dinaelurus illumina sapiens (Ratha), so that is why it isn't finished yet.

When I do, I'll add more pictures of the process.