Here's why:
* Extinct Species: Saber-toothed tigers (Smilodon) are extinct, so we can't directly observe their reproductive cycles.
* Limited Fossil Evidence: While we have many Smilodon fossils, they don't provide direct information on gestation.
* Comparisons with Modern Relatives: We can make comparisons with modern cats, but these can be imprecise. The gestation period for modern large cats varies, and we don't know how closely Smilodon's reproduction mirrored their modern relatives.
Estimated Range:
Based on the available information and comparisons with modern cat species, a rough estimate for the Smilodon gestation period is between 90 and 110 days. This falls within the range of gestation periods for other large cat species like lions and tigers.
However, it's important to remember that this is just an informed guess, and the actual gestation period of Smilodon could have been longer or shorter.