Saber Tooth Tiger Amazing Facts

The saber tooth tiger lived around 1½ million years ago in South and North America and became extinct during the last Ice Age around 10,000 years ago.

  1. Teeth

    • The saber tooth tiger was well known for its long canine teeth that it used to stab its prey during hunting. These teeth could grow up to 12 inches in length. Once the young saber tooth tiger began to grow his canine teeth they would grow at the speed of ½ inch per month.

    Description

    • Scientists can only presume that saber tooth tigers were the same color as tigers are today as fossils and bones do not tell us the color of the animal&'s fur. The tiger was smaller than an African lion is today but much heavier.

    Diet

    • Saber tooth tigers ate animals like bison and deer. Their jaws could open to 120 degrees wide, helping them bite deep into the flesh of their prey.

    Behavior

    • Saber tooth tigers were very social animals that lived in prides like lions do today. They would hunt in groups and spent much of their time lazing around and relaxing in the heat.

    Voice

    • These animals have a hyoid bone in their throat. These are only found in animals that roar. This allowed them to communicate in complex ways over long distances.