<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (February 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (February 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A sagittal crest is a ridge of bone running lengthwise along the midline of the top of the skull (at the sagittal suture) of many mammalian and reptilian skulls, among others . The presence of this ridge of bone indicates that there are exceptionally strong jaw muscles . The sagittal crest serves primarily for attachment of the temporalis muscle, which is one of the main chewing muscles . Development of the sagittal crest is thought to be connected to the development of this muscle . A sagittal crest usually develops during the juvenile stage of an animal in conjunction with the growth of the temporalis muscle, as a result of convergence and gradual heightening of the temporal lines . </P> <P> A sagittal crest tends to be present on the skulls of adult animals that rely on powerful biting and clenching of their teeth, usually as a part of their hunting strategy . Skulls of some dinosaur species, including tyrannosaurs, possessed well developed sagittal crests . Among mammals, dogs, cats, lions, and many other carnivores have sagittal crests, as do some leaf eaters, including tapirs and some apes . </P>

What is the function of a saggital crest in mammals