Smilodon species

Smilodon is one of the most famous prehistoric mammals, and the best known saber-toothed cat. Although commonly known as the saber-toothed tiger, it was not closely related to the tiger or other modern cats. Three species are recognized : Smilodon gracilis, Smilodon fatalis and Smilodon populator.

Smilodon was more robustly built than any extant cat, with particularly well-developed forelimbs and exceptionally long upper canines. Its jaw had a bigger gape than that of modern cats and its upper canines were slender and fragile, being adapted for precision killing. Smilodon gracilis was the smallest species at 55 to 100 kg (120 to 220 lb) in weight. Smilodon fatalis had a weight of 160 to 280 kg (350 to 620 lb) and height of 100 cm (39 in). Smilodon populator is perhaps the largest known felid at 220 to 400 kg (490 to 880 lb) in weight and 120 cm (47 in) in height.