How Big Was a Saber-Toothed Tiger?

The saber-toothed tiger, the popular name for a genus of extinct prehistoric cats known as Smilodon, was about the size of a modern African lion. The most famous of the saber-toothed cats, Smilodon was a large, short-limbed predator that inhabited North and South America during the Pleistocene Epoch.

The most visually identifiable characteristic of Smilodon was its remarkable long upper canine teeth—sometimes as long as 20 cm (8 inches) in length and likely used in stabbing and slashing attacks on large herbivores. Its skull and jaw structure are also believed to have been adapted for this hunting style, aided by powerful neck muscles that helped drive the head downward during an attack. Moreover, its jaw could open to about a 90° angle, clearing the way for the upper canines to strike.