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Key Information

Smilodon

Subject Sabretooth Tiger/Cat
Species Smilodon populator, Smilodon fatalis, Smilodon gracilis
Diet Carnivore
Height 39 in (S. fatalis)
Length 69 in (S. fatalis)
Weight 350 to 620 lb (S. fatalis)
Timescale Early Pleistocene to Early Holocene
Classification Mammalia > Machairodontinae > Smilodontini
Similar Species Amphimachairodus, Megantereon, Machairodus

Learning Point

  • Among the many sabretooth tigers, or more correctly, sabretooth cats, Smilodon has been one found more often. The sabretooth cats were likely powerful animals, and seem to have been a major part of the ecology of prehistoric life.

Project

  • Draw a Smilodon and its cub.
  • Overview
  • X-Ray
A Smilodon Fatalis Sabretooth Cat
By Dantheman9758 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, Link
A Smilodon fatalis skelton
Hermann Burmeister (15 January 1807 – 2 May 1892), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Location

Confirmed North & South America, Europe, Asia and Africa

Fun Facts

  • The name Smilodon comes from Greek and means “tooth shaped like double-edged knife“.
  • The teeth of sabre-toothed cats could break easily.
  • There are more than 100 species of sabre-toothed cat known to scientists.
  • Smilodon’s canine teeth were more than 10 in long.
  • A Smilodon’s jaws were capable of opening at an astounding 120-degree angle. By comparison, a lion’s jaws max out at 60 degrees.

Past Lessons

2 March 22, 2022 (North America)
36 January 4, 2023 (North America)
63 June 15, 2023 (International)
95 August 14, 2023 (North America)
210 November 3, 2025 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

No Upcoming Lessons