SMILODON

THE SABERTOOTH TIGER

SCIENTIFIC NAME: SMILODON

paleo art of smilodon and Glyptodon in prehistoric times

"KNIFE TOOTH"

Named after their iconic canine teeth that could reach up to 11 inches in length

QUICK FACTS

Time Period
Smilodon existed from approximately 2.5 million to 9,000 years ago. They lived from the early Pleistocene epoch into the early Holocene epoch, going extinct around the end of the Pleistocene extinction.
Diet
Smilodon was a carnivorous animal that preyed mainly on large herbivorous mammals. They were highly specialized to hunt these animals, particularly Bison.
Size
Smilodon ranged in sizes from 121-221 lbs (S. gracilis) to between 485-882 lbs (S. populator). Smilodon populator, the largest of the sabertooth cats, was among the largest felids to have ever lived.
Location Found
The different species of Smilodon were found throughout North America, Central America, and South America.

OVERVIEW

The Smilodon, also known as the Sabertooth Tiger, was one of the largest apex predators of the Pleistocene epoch. Despite being referred to as the Sabertooth Tiger, the Smilodon is not closely related to modern Tigers.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite its massive size, the Smilodon only had the bite force roughly equivalent to a large dog
Smilodon lived more like wolves in their social structures than they did like modern lions

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Smilodon was instantly recognizable by its massive canine teeth, which could grow up to 11 inches long and were likely used for precision killing.

Its coat may have been patterned with spots rather than stripes, helping it blend into the mixed woodlands and grasslands of its time.

Built for power rather than speed, Smilodon had a robust, muscular frame with heavily built forelimbs, strong shoulders, and a short, bobbed tail.

One of its most remarkable adaptations was its jaw, capable of opening an extraordinary 120–130 degrees — far wider than any modern big cat.

paleo art of a smilodon or sabertooth tiger during prehistoric times with other prehistoric animals in the background

HABITAT / ENVIRONMENT

Smilodon thrived in a variety of environments, from dense forests and woodlands to open grasslands, subtropical forests, and mosaic habitats where shrubs, trees, and grasses mingled.

It lived during the Pleistocene epoch, a time of dramatic climate shifts marked by alternating ice ages and warmer interludes.

These changing landscapes were home to an impressive roster of megafauna, including mammoths, bison, dire wolves, short-faced bears, ground sloths, terror birds, and armored glyptodonts.

paleo art of smilodons attacking a short faced bear during prehistoric times

BEHAVIOR AND LIFESTYLE

Smilodon was an ambush predator, using its powerful forelimbs and large, hooked claws to grapple prey and wrestle it to the ground before delivering a precise, killing bite with its long canines.

Fossil evidence of healed injuries suggests these cats cared for one another, and while some scientists believe they may have hunted in groups, there is no definitive proof.

Young Smilodon likely stayed under their mother’s care for an extended period, growing and learning within the safety of her territory before becoming independent hunters.

real picture of a smilodon skull or sabertooth tiger skull

FOSSIL DISCOVERIES

Smilodon was first discovered in the 1830s in Brazil by Danish naturalist Peter Wilhelm Lund.

Some of the most famous and abundant fossils come from the La Brea Tar Pits in California, where thousands of remarkably well-preserved specimens have been uncovered, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the life and environment of this Ice Age predator.

This fact page was checked for accuracy by Paleontologist Evan Jevnikar. Visit his website here for additional resources.