The name "saber-toothed tiger" is a bit of a misnomer, arising from:
* Similar appearance: Saber-toothed cats had a similar body shape and stripes to modern tigers.
* Common name: The term "tiger" was commonly used for large, predatory cats in the past.
However, saber-toothed cats belong to the extinct genus *Smilodon*, while modern tigers belong to the genus *Panthera*. They evolved independently, and their shared characteristics are due to convergent evolution, meaning they developed similar traits because they faced similar environmental pressures.
So, while the name "saber-toothed tiger" is familiar, it's important to remember that they are not true tigers. They are a distinct group of extinct animals with unique evolutionary history.