The Saber Tooth Tiger
The Saber Tooth Tigers are some of the best known and most popular of ice age animals. They are among the most impressive carnivores that ever have lived. Two different types of saber toothed tigers lived in the mid-western U.S. at the end of the ice age. One of the most familiar saber tooth tiger was (genus smilodon). These cats had enlarged canines usually associated with the name saber tooth. Their canines were up to 7 inches long (18 centimeters)! The second type is the less known (genus Homotherium). These cats had shorter canines about ten centimeters (4 inches) long. The canines were also flatter at the tips. Some of the differences can be seen by comparing the homotherium cat to the smilodon cat.
Saber Tooth Tigers probably lived in grassy plains, open woodlands, and other dry areas. Saber Tooth Tigers probably feasted on large animals such as, horses, buffalo, deer, and antelope. Saber Tooth Tigers lived in North America and South America. The saber tooth tiger was one of a kind. There are no close living relatives today but paleontologists reconstruct the skeleton of a saber tooth tiger to some of the largest living cats today. Had large teeth that were used to hunt their prey, looked like tigers today but with longer teeth.
Saber Tooth Tigers probably lived in grassy plains, open woodlands, and other dry areas. Saber Tooth Tigers probably feasted on large animals such as, horses, buffalo, deer, and antelope. Saber Tooth Tigers lived in North America and South America. The saber tooth tiger was one of a kind. There are no close living relatives today but paleontologists reconstruct the skeleton of a saber tooth tiger to some of the largest living cats today. Had large teeth that were used to hunt their prey, looked like tigers today but with longer teeth.