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How Big Was a Saber-Toothed Tiger?
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Prehistoric predator Saber-toothed tiger skull
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Prehistoric predator
Prehistoric predator A life-sized replica of the saber-toothed tiger (Smilodon) at Shanghai Natural History Museum.

How Big Was a Saber-Toothed Tiger?

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The saber-toothed tiger, the popular name for a genus of extinct prehistoric cats known as Smilodon, was about the size of a modern African lion. The most famous of the saber-toothed cats, Smilodon was a large, short-limbed predator that inhabited North and South America during the Pleistocene Epoch.

Saber-toothed tiger skull
Saber-toothed tiger skullThe skull of a Smilodon populator, common in South America during the Pleistocene Epoch, at the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, Brazil.

One of the most striking features of Smilodon was its elongated upper canine teeth, which could reach up to 20 cm (8 inches) in length and were likely used in stabbing and slashing attacks on large herbivores. Its skull and jaw structure are also believed to have been adapted for this hunting style, aided by powerful neck muscles that helped drive the head downward during an attack. Moreover, its jaw could open to about a 90° angle, clearing the way for the upper canines to strike.

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