How big were the saber tooth tigers?

Saber-toothed cats, or Smilodons, varied in size depending on the species. However, the most famous, Smilodon fatalis, was about the size of a modern lion.

Here's a breakdown of its size:

* Length: About 8 to 11 feet long

* Height: About 3 to 4 feet tall at the shoulder

* Weight: Between 400 and 1,000 pounds

Other saber-toothed cats were smaller or larger. For example:

* Smilodon gracilis was about the size of a puma.

* Homotherium was larger, reaching up to 12 feet long.

It's important to remember that while Smilodon fatalis was a formidable predator, it was not the largest cat to have ever lived. The American lion (Panthera leo atrox) was actually larger, and the cave lion (Panthera spelaea) was likely comparable in size.