Key Information
Thylacosmilus
| Species | Thylacosmilus atrox |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Length | 4 to 5 ft |
| Height | 2 ft |
| Weight | 180 to 330 lb |
| Timescale | Late Miocene to Pliocene |
| Classification | Mammalia > Sparassodonta > Thylacosmilidae |
Learning Point
- Thylacosmilus was a saber-toothed marsupial that lived in South America during the late Miocene and Pliocene epochs. Despite its resemblance to saber-toothed cats, Thylacosmilus was not closely related to them. It had long, dagger-like canine teeth and a unique jaw structure that allowed it to deliver powerful bites. This fearsome predator was likely an apex predator in its ecosystem, possibly preying on large herbivores.
Project
- Draw a picture of a Thylacosmilus.
- Overview
- X-Ray
- Comparison with Sabre Toothed Cats
Location
| Confirmed | Argentina |
Fun Facts
- The name Thylacosmilus means “pouch knife” in Greek and is named that way because of its long teeth.
- It was a marsupial, like a kangaroo, but with huge saber teeth!
- It looked like a saber-toothed cat, but it wasn’t actually a cats.
- Thylacosmilus was probably at the top of the food chain, meaning it was possibly the strongest hunter in its environment.
Past Lessons
| 179 | January 6, 2025 | (North America) |