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Description
Smilodon fatalis

North America during the Pleistocene epoch was at hotspot for carnivoran predators. From the giant short-faced bear, the massive American Lion, and the swift American Cheetah were inhabitants of the plains, woodlands and forests in the region. However, no animal is more iconic than the legendary North American Saber-Toothed Cat, Smilodon fatalis.
History and Discovery:

Smilodon was first discovered by Danish naturalist Peter Lund in 1842 when he was sent molars from South America and later a fang, however, that species was Smilodon populator, the South American species. This species Smilodon fatalis was discovered 27 years later.

In 1869, near a petroleum bed, workers unearthed teeth fragments in Hardin County, Texas. The teeth were sent to paleontologist and naturalist Joseph Leidy. He recognized them as a species of cat and described them as Felis (Trucifelis) fatalis. The specific name meaning “deadly” in Latin. In 1880, Leidy’s student, Edward Drinker Cope described a new species of Smilodon and noted that his mentor’s specimen had molars that were identical to S.populator. Thus, Cope named both the smallest species, S.gracilis and renamed Felis fatalis to Smilodon fatalis. The generic name is derived from the Greek “smilē” meaning scalpel or two-edged knife, and “odontús” meaning tooth. As previously mentioned, the specific name means “deadly” in Latin. Thus the entire name for this species means, “deadly two-edged knife tooth”.

It was around the time that Cope reassigned Smilodon fatalis that more complete specimens were found out west, specifically in the La Brea tarpits in Los Angeles, California where the specimens offered better insight into this powerful predator.

Description:

Smilodon fatalis was the middle-sized child in this genus of cat. It’s earlier Pleistocene relative S.gracilis had dimensions similar to a Jaguar, while S.fatalis had dimensions similar to a lion. Around 3-3.3ft tall at the shoulder and 5.5-6ft long.

While the size of a lion, it was far more robustly built than the African big cat. With a more muscular build, specifically on its limbs, indicating a more unique method of capturing prey as will be discussed later. The lumbar (lower back) region was reduced giving it a slimmer build before tapering back into a more robust build in the hind limbs. The tail was short and stubby. Only about a foot long, a stark contrast to today’s big cats which have long tails often exceeding 2-3ft.

The skull was robustly proportioned, with a short muzzle, deep cheeks, and a wide sagittal crest for anchoring the jaw muscles. Its braincase was smaller compared to most modern cats, indicating a smaller brain size and less intelligence which has implications of behavior (as will be discussed later). However, the most standout trait was the canine teeth. Serrated front and back and recurved backwards. The largest fangs on this species were 7-8in long.

Finds in La Brea unearthed several complete skeletons. Among the bones found was a hyoid bone similar to lions. It indicates that this animal could have roared.

Fur samples have never been attributed to this species nor any other saber-toothed cat. However, using extrapolations from fossil sites, many paleontologists believe this animal probably had a plain coat or spots (as will be discussed later). Some paleoart from petroglyphs in Arizona may support this as they show an animal that had a felid-build, but it’s a bit ambiguous if this was a Smilodon or a stylistic take on the bobcat.

Smilodon: A Saber-Cat or Saber-Bulldog:

In some overly speculative paleoart, artists depict Smilodon and other saber-toothed cats as having bulldog like lips sheathing the canines. Or even having a bulldog-esque appearance. This meme in paleontology and paleoartistry was inspired by paleontologist G.J. Miller with massive lips tapering over the side of the fangs. Some paleoartists took this further by completely sheathing the lips.
Mauricio Anton, a renowned Cenozoic paleoartist and paleontologist disputed this, as the features of Smilodon, while different, were not that dissimilar to modern felids. Furthermore, given phylogenetic bracketing, it’s believed that its appearance would have been far more similar to modern felids.

In early 2022, Anton and colleagues published a study indicating that there was no evidence of sheathed canines in Smilodon. Thus, in life, it’s believed that the teeth would have been exposed. However, its cousin, Homotherium, did have them sheathed and hidden behind the lips. Which makes sense given that the fangs of the Scimitar-Toothed Cat were around the size of a tiger’s fangs.

Classification and Evolution:

Smilodon is a member of the Machairodontinae subfamily and in the subgroup of Smilodontini. The group originated in the Late Miocene some 10,000,000 years ago with the genus Megantereon originating in Africa and eventually spreading into Eurasia. They were around the size of the largest subspecies of leopard to large jaguars. It’s believed at the end of the Pliocene, Megantereon would evolve into the smallest member of the genus, Smilodon gracilis when it migrated into North America in the Pliocene. There the genus would evolve into Smilodon fatalis. S.gracilis would migrate into South America and evolve into Smilodon populator, however, that is a story for another profile.

Contrary to its popular laymen name, “Saber-Toothed Tiger”, they were not even close cousins to tigers or pantherines. A 2005 DNA study shows that machairodonts and by extension Smilodon were wholly separate from modern day cats. They diverged sometime in the early-to-middle Miocene some 20-23,000,000 years ago. Moreover, mitochondrial DNA indicates that the lineages of both Homotherium and Smilodon diverged 18,000,000 years ago.

Habitat:

The habitat of S.fatalis ranged from as far north as Alberta to as far south as parts of Northern South America. Their fossil distribution in North America largely skirted around the Midwest in places like Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, avoiding colder regions. However, fossils found in Alberta indicates that they could have resided in these regions. The heaviest concentrations have been found in Florida, Los Angeles, parts of Virginia and Mexico. This species resided in some open plains, but primarily the fossils found indicate a more scattered woodland environment.

For years, paleontologists thought S.fatalis and S.populator were separated by the Andes mountains, however, in 2018, a S.fatalis skull was found in Uruguay well within the range of S.populator indicating the two species could have overlapped in their habitat.

In North America, while this animal was formidable, by no means was it the top dog on the block. The large American Lion, the pack hunting dire wolf and the giant short-faced bear competed with this animal. As such this animal had a different predatory style in order to kill and finish its prey quickly.

Predation Style:

Given the build of Smilodon, its likely these were not pursuit predators, nor were they targeting lightly built animals. Their short tail would have been unable to make agile and swift turns. Many paleontogists think these were brutish predators that were almost bear-like in how they brought down prey. Using their robust muscles and limbs to wrestle the prey to the ground. The build of the humerus indicates that this is likely what they did. Moreover, the pelvis and scapula bones show evidence of massive stress being placed on where the femur and humerus bones attach as well as in the lower spinal cord. The consensus is that they ambushed normally large-bodied prey like camels, large deer or elk, tapirs, bison, ground sloths, horses, or even juvenile elephants. They ambushed them, wrestled them to the ground and then its fangs would be utilized.
These weapons were delicate, thin and weak if shaken from side-to-side or if it struck bone. Modern cats have more conical and wide teeth that are resistant to breakage most of the time. With these thin sabers, they would have been careful when employing them. Moreover bite force of Smilodon was weak, in fact it was only around 1/3 that of a lion, despite being on par in weight and more robust than its distant cousin. It’s possible it once it wrestled it to the ground it used its neck muscles to drive its jaw into the vital region of its prey (only in close quarters).

Paleontologists debate which region the animal targeted. Some think it hit the neck, others think it targeted the belly. Today, the consensus is that it targeted the neck. The reason being is that targeting the belly would have put it in range of powerful kicks from the prey and there aren’t as many vital organs closer to the skin as the neck.
Whether or not it was surgical in that it inserted, cut the jugular, carotid, or trachea or just ripped it out is up to interpretation.

Social Behavior:

Paleontologists debate whether this animal was social or not. Given the fact that the majority of cats today are solitary, some believe that these animals were solitary as well.

Finds from La Brea show several specimens found together. It’s been theorized that Smilodon could have used vocalizations to call for help, thus indicating social behavior. Conversely, it could be theorized that Smilodon fossils being so common could be evidence that multiple unrelated animals were attracted to a carcass at a given time. A study from 2012 showed that solitary tigers congregated around carcasses to feed, and they normally tolerate each other when feeding. If fossils of tigers were found in a death trap around a buffalo or gaur, would paleontologists say they were social? It’s an interesting angle on if Smilodon was solitary
Another study put forward indicates that the smaller brain size could be correlated with solitary behavior as they would not have had the mental faculties to coordinate with other members of their kind.

However, in the 2010s, new fossil finds indicate these animals probably were social. First and foremost, the study on brain size is largely believed as irrelevant. As in brain size has no correlation with social behavior. Furthermore, the brain structure of Smilodon shows no diminished regions compared to other cats.
Another study ponders how could some specimens that had massive areas of stress placed on their pelvis or scapula and survived for long periods of time. The animal probably was taken care of by members of its group. In 2021, 3 partial skeletons were described in Ecuador, consisting of two subadults and an adult. Given the resemblance to their teeth, it’s been theorized the adult was the mother and the two cubs were siblings. There are similarities that have been observed between the two subadults which are believed to be siblings and around two years old. By studying the bones it indicates they had a growth rate similar to lions and since lions live in prides, it could indicate that Smilodon lived in prides as well. Furthermore, with its hyoid bone similar to lions, it could be extrapolated that these animals lived together and relied on vocalization to communicate as well.

Today, most scientists believe this animal was a social species, and lived together in groups.

Extinction:

Despite the fact it lived together in groups and it was far more powerful than modern big cats, its might could not save it from certain extinction. Climate change and humans overhunting its food source of large megafaunal mammals is largely believed to be the reason for its extinction. Though whichever played a bigger role is up to debate. What is known is that the main driving factor was due to large prey vanishing. With only more fleet footed mammals around, Smilodon was unable to bring down animals like Deer or Pronghorn, and the saber-toothed world came to an end. The most recent remains of Smilodon fatalis were found near Nashville Tennessee and dated to ~10,200-11,000 years ago. The last populations died out succumbing to hunger and starvation. A sad fate for this awesome predator.

Once it was a mighty apex predator, now it’s a staple of museum exhibits, pop culture and an icon of prehistoric life on par with the Mammoth, Dodo, Brontosaurus and T.rex.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

One obscure dino one week, an icon of the ice age the next. At first, I thought about depicting it bringing down a Ancient Bison, but honestly that’s been done to death. So I went with a more obscure prey item. A subadult Baird’s Tapir. So think of this as somewhere in Central America (Ecuador, Mexico, etc.).

Will this be in PMP? A Late Pleistocene Smilodon will be featured in season 2, but I’m still debating as to which species. As said, I’ve barely begun outlining the stories. I do have S.populator that I just finished making, but I decided to depict an animal which I have in my collection. Yes, right next to my rig, I have a Smilodon skull.
i.imgur.com/Z5iC0X1.jpg

Smilodon model and skin by Ulquiorra and Lgcfm respectively:
Saber-Toothed Cat (Lgcfm & Ulquiorra) | ZT2 Download Library Wiki | Fandom

Baird's Tapir by Dwyqyjt:
Baird's Tapir (Dwyqyjt) | ZT2 Download Library Wiki | Fandom

Description
Smilodon fatalis

North America during the Pleistocene epoch was at hotspot for carnivoran predators. From the giant short-faced bear, the massive American Lion, and the swift American Cheetah were inhabitants of the plains, woodlands and forests in the region. However, no animal is more iconic than the legendary North American Saber-Toothed Cat, Smilodon fatalis.
History and Discovery:

Smilodon was first discovered by Danish naturalist Peter Lund in 1842 when he was sent molars from South America and later a fang, however, that species was Smilodon populator, the South American species. This species Smilodon fatalis was discovered 27 years later.

In 1869, near a petroleum bed, workers unearthed teeth fragments in Hardin County, Texas. The teeth were sent to paleontologist and naturalist Joseph Leidy. He recognized them as a species of cat and described them as Felis (Trucifelis) fatalis. The specific name meaning “deadly” in Latin. In 1880, Leidy’s student, Edward Drinker Cope described a new species of Smilodon and noted that his mentor’s specimen had molars that were identical to S.populator. Thus, Cope named both the smallest species, S.gracilis and renamed Felis fatalis to Smilodon fatalis. The generic name is derived from the Greek “smilē” meaning scalpel or two-edged knife, and “odontús” meaning tooth. As previously mentioned, the specific name means “deadly” in Latin. Thus the entire name for this species means, “deadly two-edged knife tooth”.

It was around the time that Cope reassigned Smilodon fatalis that more complete specimens were found out west, specifically in the La Brea tarpits in Los Angeles, California where the specimens offered better insight into this powerful predator.

Description:

Smilodon fatalis was the middle-sized child in this genus of cat. It’s earlier Pleistocene relative S.gracilis had dimensions similar to a Jaguar, while S.fatalis had dimensions similar to a lion. Around 3-3.3ft tall at the shoulder and 5.5-6ft long.

While the size of a lion, it was far more robustly built than the African big cat. With a more muscular build, specifically on its limbs, indicating a more unique method of capturing prey as will be discussed later. The lumbar (lower back) region was reduced giving it a slimmer build before tapering back into a more robust build in the hind limbs. The tail was short and stubby. Only about a foot long, a stark contrast to today’s big cats which have long tails often exceeding 2-3ft.

The skull was robustly proportioned, with a short muzzle, deep cheeks, and a wide sagittal crest for anchoring the jaw muscles. Its braincase was smaller compared to most modern cats, indicating a smaller brain size and less intelligence which has implications of behavior (as will be discussed later). However, the most standout trait was the canine teeth. Serrated front and back and recurved backwards. The largest fangs on this species were 7-8in long.

Finds in La Brea unearthed several complete skeletons. Among the bones found was a hyoid bone similar to lions. It indicates that this animal could have roared.

Fur samples have never been attributed to this species nor any other saber-toothed cat. However, using extrapolations from fossil sites, many paleontologists believe this animal probably had a plain coat or spots (as will be discussed later). Some paleoart from petroglyphs in Arizona may support this as they show an animal that had a felid-build, but it’s a bit ambiguous if this was a Smilodon or a stylistic take on the bobcat.

Smilodon: A Saber-Cat or Saber-Bulldog:

In some overly speculative paleoart, artists depict Smilodon and other saber-toothed cats as having bulldog like lips sheathing the canines. Or even having a bulldog-esque appearance. This meme in paleontology and paleoartistry was inspired by paleontologist G.J. Miller with massive lips tapering over the side of the fangs. Some paleoartists took this further by completely sheathing the lips.
Mauricio Anton, a renowned Cenozoic paleoartist and paleontologist disputed this, as the features of Smilodon, while different, were not that dissimilar to modern felids. Furthermore, given phylogenetic bracketing, it’s believed that its appearance would have been far more similar to modern felids.

In early 2022, Anton and colleagues published a study indicating that there was no evidence of sheathed canines in Smilodon. Thus, in life, it’s believed that the teeth would have been exposed. However, its cousin, Homotherium, did have them sheathed and hidden behind the lips. Which makes sense given that the fangs of the Scimitar-Toothed Cat were around the size of a tiger’s fangs.

Classification and Evolution:

Smilodon is a member of the Machairodontinae subfamily and in the subgroup of Smilodontini. The group originated in the Late Miocene some 10,000,000 years ago with the genus Megantereon originating in Africa and eventually spreading into Eurasia. They were around the size of the largest subspecies of leopard to large jaguars. It’s believed at the end of the Pliocene, Megantereon would evolve into the smallest member of the genus, Smilodon gracilis when it migrated into North America in the Pliocene. There the genus would evolve into Smilodon fatalis. S.gracilis would migrate into South America and evolve into Smilodon populator, however, that is a story for another profile.

Contrary to its popular laymen name, “Saber-Toothed Tiger”, they were not even close cousins to tigers or pantherines. A 2005 DNA study shows that machairodonts and by extension Smilodon were wholly separate from modern day cats. They diverged sometime in the early-to-middle Miocene some 20-23,000,000 years ago. Moreover, mitochondrial DNA indicates that the lineages of both Homotherium and Smilodon diverged 18,000,000 years ago.

Habitat:

The habitat of S.fatalis ranged from as far north as Alberta to as far south as parts of Northern South America. Their fossil distribution in North America largely skirted around the Midwest in places like Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, avoiding colder regions. However, fossils found in Alberta indicates that they could have resided in these regions. The heaviest concentrations have been found in Florida, Los Angeles, parts of Virginia and Mexico. This species resided in some open plains, but primarily the fossils found indicate a more scattered woodland environment.

For years, paleontologists thought S.fatalis and S.populator were separated by the Andes mountains, however, in 2018, a S.fatalis skull was found in Uruguay well within the range of S.populator indicating the two species could have overlapped in their habitat.

In North America, while this animal was formidable, by no means was it the top dog on the block. The large American Lion, the pack hunting dire wolf and the giant short-faced bear competed with this animal. As such this animal had a different predatory style in order to kill and finish its prey quickly.

Predation Style:

Given the build of Smilodon, its likely these were not pursuit predators, nor were they targeting lightly built animals. Their short tail would have been unable to make agile and swift turns. Many paleontogists think these were brutish predators that were almost bear-like in how they brought down prey. Using their robust muscles and limbs to wrestle the prey to the ground. The build of the humerus indicates that this is likely what they did. Moreover, the pelvis and scapula bones show evidence of massive stress being placed on where the femur and humerus bones attach as well as in the lower spinal cord. The consensus is that they ambushed normally large-bodied prey like camels, large deer or elk, tapirs, bison, ground sloths, horses, or even juvenile elephants. They ambushed them, wrestled them to the ground and then its fangs would be utilized.
These weapons were delicate, thin and weak if shaken from side-to-side or if it struck bone. Modern cats have more conical and wide teeth that are resistant to breakage most of the time. With these thin sabers, they would have been careful when employing them. Moreover bite force of Smilodon was weak, in fact it was only around 1/3 that of a lion, despite being on par in weight and more robust than its distant cousin. It’s possible it once it wrestled it to the ground it used its neck muscles to drive its jaw into the vital region of its prey (only in close quarters).

Paleontologists debate which region the animal targeted. Some think it hit the neck, others think it targeted the belly. Today, the consensus is that it targeted the neck. The reason being is that targeting the belly would have put it in range of powerful kicks from the prey and there aren’t as many vital organs closer to the skin as the neck.
Whether or not it was surgical in that it inserted, cut the jugular, carotid, or trachea or just ripped it out is up to interpretation.

Social Behavior:

Paleontologists debate whether this animal was social or not. Given the fact that the majority of cats today are solitary, some believe that these animals were solitary as well.

Finds from La Brea show several specimens found together. It’s been theorized that Smilodon could have used vocalizations to call for help, thus indicating social behavior. Conversely, it could be theorized that Smilodon fossils being so common could be evidence that multiple unrelated animals were attracted to a carcass at a given time. A study from 2012 showed that solitary tigers congregated around carcasses to feed, and they normally tolerate each other when feeding. If fossils of tigers were found in a death trap around a buffalo or gaur, would paleontologists say they were social? It’s an interesting angle on if Smilodon was solitary
Another study put forward indicates that the smaller brain size could be correlated with solitary behavior as they would not have had the mental faculties to coordinate with other members of their kind.

However, in the 2010s, new fossil finds indicate these animals probably were social. First and foremost, the study on brain size is largely believed as irrelevant. As in brain size has no correlation with social behavior. Furthermore, the brain structure of Smilodon shows no diminished regions compared to other cats.
Another study ponders how could some specimens that had massive areas of stress placed on their pelvis or scapula and survived for long periods of time. The animal probably was taken care of by members of its group. In 2021, 3 partial skeletons were described in Ecuador, consisting of two subadults and an adult. Given the resemblance to their teeth, it’s been theorized the adult was the mother and the two cubs were siblings. There are similarities that have been observed between the two subadults which are believed to be siblings and around two years old. By studying the bones it indicates they had a growth rate similar to lions and since lions live in prides, it could indicate that Smilodon lived in prides as well. Furthermore, with its hyoid bone similar to lions, it could be extrapolated that these animals lived together and relied on vocalization to communicate as well.

Today, most scientists believe this animal was a social species, and lived together in groups.

Extinction:

Despite the fact it lived together in groups and it was far more powerful than modern big cats, its might could not save it from certain extinction. Climate change and humans overhunting its food source of large megafaunal mammals is largely believed to be the reason for its extinction. Though whichever played a bigger role is up to debate. What is known is that the main driving factor was due to large prey vanishing. With only more fleet footed mammals around, Smilodon was unable to bring down animals like Deer or Pronghorn, and the saber-toothed world came to an end. The most recent remains of Smilodon fatalis were found near Nashville Tennessee and dated to ~10,200-11,000 years ago. The last populations died out succumbing to hunger and starvation. A sad fate for this awesome predator.

Once it was a mighty apex predator, now it’s a staple of museum exhibits, pop culture and an icon of prehistoric life on par with the Mammoth, Dodo, Brontosaurus and T.rex.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

One obscure dino one week, an icon of the ice age the next. At first, I thought about depicting it bringing down a Ancient Bison, but honestly that’s been done to death. So I went with a more obscure prey item. A subadult Baird’s Tapir. So think of this as somewhere in Central America (Ecuador, Mexico, etc.).

Will this be in PMP? A Late Pleistocene Smilodon will be featured in season 2, but I’m still debating as to which species. As said, I’ve barely begun outlining the stories. I do have S.populator that I just finished making, but I decided to depict an animal which I have in my collection. Yes, right next to my rig, I have a Smilodon skull.
i.imgur.com/Z5iC0X1.jpg

Smilodon model and skin by Ulquiorra and Lgcfm respectively:
Saber-Toothed Cat (Lgcfm & Ulquiorra) | ZT2 Download Library Wiki | Fandom

Baird's Tapir by Dwyqyjt:
Baird's Tapir (Dwyqyjt) | ZT2 Download Library Wiki | Fandom