Smilodon

Smilodon was a genus of extinct felids in the subfamily Machairodontinae. It lived in the Americas from the Pleistocene to the early Holocene and was among the last surviving machairodonts. Three species are recognized: S. gracilis, S. fatalis, and S. populator. Smilodon had powerful forelimbs, a wide jaw gape, and long upper canine teeth adapted for precision killing. It became extinct during the end-Pleistocene extinction event.

Recognized species

S. gracilis, S. fatalis, and S. populator

Geographic range

Americas

Fossil collection

The largest collection comes from the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles