Fossil sabre cat skeleton
Place Collected(Object)
: North America, USA, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, Rancho La Brea Date: Received on exchange in 1937
Dimensions:length=174; width=53; height=87 cm
Taxonomy
- Attributes
- Objects
- Taxonomy
- Kingdom:
Animalia
- Phylum:
Chordata
- Class:
Mammalia
- Order:
Carnivora
- Family:
Felidae
- Genus:
Smilodon
- SpecificEpithet:
fatalis
Object number: ROMVP00020
Gallery Location:Reed Family Gallery of the Age of Mammals, South America, North American Immigrants, Sabre Cat
DescriptionSmilodon probably used its sabre-like canine teeth to slash open the throats of intended prey, rather than to stab. After Smilodon cats died, their canines usually fell out. For this reason, mounted Smilodon skulls in museums have had the canine teeth re-inserted - most have been done incorrectly, making them look longer than they were in real life, for dramatic effect. We have inserted ours correctly, giving the animal's jaws a realistic gape.
