Smilodon

Smilodon ("knife tooth") is more commonly known as the sabertooth cat (or, formerly, sabertooth tiger). Smilodon lived approximately 3 million-10,000 years ago in North America and South America. It is the only known successor to Machairodus.

Three species of Smilodon are known to have existed:

• Smilodon fatalis, 1.6 million-10,000 years ago
• Smilodon gracilis, 2.5 million-500,000 years ago
• Smilodon populator, 1 million-10,000 years ago

Similodon was approximately 350 kg and had a short tail, powerful legs and a large head. Its jaws could open 95 degrees. Its saberteeth were about 17 cm (7 inches) long.

Many Smilodon fossils have been unearthed at the La Brea Tar Pits[?] in Los Angeles, which is why it is the prehistoric cat researchers know the most about.