* Fossil Record Limitations: While we have fossil evidence of saber-toothed tigers, it's incomplete. We can't get a precise count of their population from fossils alone.
* Geographic Distribution: Saber-toothed tigers lived across North and South America, parts of Europe, and Asia. Their populations varied by location and time.
* Extinction: Smilodons went extinct around 10,000 years ago, so by 8000 BC, they were already declining in numbers.
Instead of a specific number, we can say:
* Saber-toothed tigers were likely abundant in 8000 BC, but their numbers were decreasing.
* Their populations varied depending on the region and available resources.
To learn more, you can research:
* Paleontology: Study of fossils and ancient life.
* Extinction Events: The events that led to the disappearance of species.
* Pleistocene Epoch: The time period during which saber-toothed tigers lived (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago).