African lions have short, round teeth. Their canines don't always break the skin of their prey; sometimes they just crush the neck of the animal and suffocate it. Smilodon's canines are longer and more knife-like. They almost certainly broke the skin and produced large, bloody wounds. Smilodon powered its canine teeth with neck muscles that pulled its head downward and jaw muscles that pulled the lower jaw upward. Cut to the Quick

Smilodon's knife-like sabers were adapted for cutting through the thick hide of its prey. Doesn't it look like the saber-toothed cat's teeth would get in the way? Well, they didn't! They were adapted for cutting through the skin of its prey. Smilodon probably grabbed its prey with its powerful forelimbs and then bit through the throat with its sharp teeth and strong jaws. However, it would have to avoid the prey's neck bones, which could break its slender canines.

Produced by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation This page was made possible by a grant from Friskies PetCare Company and the National Science Foundation. All photographic images contained within these Web pages ARE COPYRIGHTED and may not be reproduced or utilized in any manner without the express written consent of the owner. Smilodon and lion model photographs by Jim Angus. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation Smilodon attack sketch by Wendy Smith-Griswold. © Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation Page design by Jim Angus