Sabertooths

Sabertooths are a group of extinct predatory mammals characterized by their exceptionally long, saber-like canine teeth. These teeth, which could be up to seven inches long in some species, were their most distinctive feature. While often depicted as lions, sabertooths were not closely related to modern big cats. They belonged to a distinct lineage of feliform carnivorans, with the most famous representatives belonging to the subfamily Machairodontinae.

These formidable predators roamed the Earth for millions of years, with their fossil record spanning from the Eocene to the Pleistocene epochs. Their geographic distribution was widespread, with fossils found across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Sabertooths were apex predators, occupying a similar ecological niche to modern lions and tigers. Their diet likely consisted of large herbivores, such as bison, horses, and camels, which they would ambush and subdue.

The exact function of the saber teeth is still a subject of scientific debate. While they were clearly used for inflicting deep wounds, their exact killing method is hypothesized to have involved precision slashing to the throat or abdomen to quickly incapacitate prey, minimizing struggle and damage to the valuable teeth. The size and shape of the skull and neck musculature suggest a powerful bite, but likely not one designed for crushing bone like modern big cats. The extinction of sabertooths is generally attributed to climate change and the disappearance of their large prey during the Quaternary extinction event.