Why did ancient saber-tooth tigers become extinct? Who exactly were saber-toothed tigers and why did they become extinct? Smilodon: description of the species

I am sure that almost all modern children and adults know that saber-toothed tigers once roamed our planet. We owe much of this knowledge to the cartoon “Ice Age,” where one of the main characters, Diego, is a saber-toothed tiger. But did such animals really exist, and if so, what happened to them?

In fact, the concept of “saber-toothed tiger” is rather commonplace. In reality, everything looks somewhat different and, as often happens in science, more complicated. I will try to avoid complex scientific terms and briefly talk about extinct cats with huge fangs, which, by the way, finally disappeared not so long ago...

Thanks to the skeletons found, scientists learned that between 20 million years ago and 10,000 years ago, all continents except Australia and Antarctica were inhabited by cats with very long fangs. Such cats were bred into a separate subfamily of felines - saber-toothed cats. For a long time it was believed that all saber-toothed cats were large, like a modern tiger or lion, but it was later discovered that saber-toothed cats were all sizes.

The question still remains without a clear answer: why do cats have such long fangs? On the one hand, such fangs made it possible to inflict very deep wounds on prey, on the other hand, they could be broken quite easily. In addition, to bite with such fangs, the predator’s mouth had to open more than 120 degrees, and with such a jaw structure, the bite force is reduced. According to one version, the fangs had exclusively aesthetic value and served as a way to attract individuals of the opposite sex, but the version that the fangs were used to inflict deep wounds sounds more plausible.

Let's return to saber-toothed tigers, or more precisely to Diego from Madagascar. Who really was Diego? The subfamily of saber-toothed cats is divided into two groups or, in scientific terms, into two tribes - Machairods and Smilodon. The main difference between them was their size - Smilodon were the largest representatives of the cat family on earth. And it is the Smilodon that is called the saber-toothed tiger, therefore Diego is the Smilodon.

The reason for the disappearance of saber-toothed cats, like many other large mammals, was the Ice Age, which spanned the period from two million to twenty-five thousand years ago. Smilodon gradually lost their usual food - large mammals, including mammoths. The structure of cats did not allow them to hunt small game, which led to their gradual extinction.

Comparison of Smilodon with man and tiger:

Remember me? If not, let me remind you that this small cat has the longest canines (relative to body size) of all living representatives of the cat family. And it is the clouded leopard that is considered, if not a direct descendant, but the closest relative of Smilodon.

The saber-toothed tiger is a giant among cats. For several million years it dominated the territory of America, but disappeared quite suddenly almost 10 thousand years ago. The true causes of the extinction have never been established. Today there are no animals that can safely be attributed to his descendants.

Only one thing is known with certainty: the animal has nothing to do with tigers.

Similar anatomical features of the skull (very long fangs, wide-opening mouth) are observed in clouded leopards. Despite this, no evidence of a close relationship between the predators could be found.

Family history

The animal belongs to the cat family, subfamily Machairodontinae or Saber-toothed cats, genus Smilodon. Translated into Russian, “Smilodon” means “dagger tooth.” The first individuals appeared during the Paleogene period about 2.5 million years ago. A tropical climate with slight temperature fluctuations and lush vegetation favored the general flourishing of mammals. Predators of the Paleogene period multiplied rapidly and did not experience a shortage of food.

The Pleistocene, which replaced the Paleogene, was characterized by a harsher climate with alternating glaciations and periods of slight warming. The saber-toothed cats adapted well to their new habitat and felt great. The distribution range of animals covered South and North America.

At the end of the last ice age, the climate became drier and warmer. Where impenetrable forests once stretched, prairies appeared. Most of the megafauna could not withstand climate change and died out; the remaining animals moved to open spaces, learned to run quickly, and evade persecution.

Having lost their usual prey, predators were unable to switch to smaller animals. The peculiarities of the animal's constitution - short legs and a short tail, a bulky body - made it clumsy and inactive. He could not maneuver or pursue the victim for a long time.

The long fangs made it difficult to catch small animals; they broke during an unsuccessful attempt to grab the victim, piercing into the ground instead. It is quite possible that it was precisely because of famine that the period of saber-toothed tigers ended and there is no point in looking for other explanations.

Kinds

• The species Smilodon fatalis appeared on the American continents 1.6 million years ago. It had average size and weight, comparable to the weight of a modern tiger - 170 - 280 kg. Its subspecies include Smilodon californicus and Smilodon floridus.
• The species Smilodon gracilis lived in the western regions of America.
• The Smilodon populator species was distinguished by its largest size, had a stocky build, and exceeded the weight of the largest tigers. Effectively killed the victim by cutting the carotid artery and trachea with sharp fangs.

Paleontological finds

In 1841, the first report of a saber-tooth tiger appeared in the fossil record. Fossil remains were found in the state of Minas Geras in eastern Brazil, where Danish paleontologist and naturalist Peter Wilhelm Lund conducted excavations. The scientist studied and described the relics in detail, systematized the facts and identified the beast as a separate genus.

Rancho La Brea, located in a bitumen valley near the city of Los Angeles, is famous for many finds of prehistoric animals, including the saber-toothed cat. During glacial times, there was a black lake in the valley, filled with a composition of thickened oil (liquid asphalt). A thin layer of water collected on its surface and attracted birds and animals with its shine.

The animals went to water and ended up in a death trap. All you had to do was step into the fetid mud and your feet themselves would stick to its surface. Under the weight of their bodies, the victims of optical illusion gradually sank into the asphalt, from which even the strongest individuals could not get out. The game bound by the lake seemed like easy prey for predators, but as they made their way to it, they themselves found themselves trapped.

In the middle of the last century, people began to extract asphalt from the lake and unexpectedly discovered there many well-preserved remains of animals buried alive. More than two thousand skulls of saber-toothed cats were raised outside. As it turned out later, only young individuals fell into the trap. Apparently the old animals, already taught by bitter experience, avoided this place.

Scientists from the University of California began studying the remains. Using a tomograph, the structure of the teeth and bone density were determined, and a number of genetic and biochemical studies were carried out. The skeleton of a saber-toothed cat was restored in great detail. Modern computer technology has helped to recreate the image of the animal and even calculate the force of its bite.

Appearance

One can only guess what the animal saber-toothed tiger actually looks like, because the image created by scientists is very conventional. In the photo, the saber-toothed tiger does not look at all like living representatives of the cat family. Large fangs and bear proportions make it unique and one of a kind. The dimensions of a saber-toothed tiger are comparable to the linear parameters of a large lion.

• Body length 2.5 meters, height at withers 100 - 125 cm.
• The unusually short tail had a length of 20 - 30 cm. This anatomical feature deprived predators of the ability to run quickly. When turning at high speed, they could not maintain balance, maneuver and simply fell.
• The weight of the animal reached 160 - 240 kg. Large individuals from the species Smilodon populator exceeded the weight and had a body mass of 400 kg.
  The predator was distinguished by a powerful wrestling physique and awkward body proportions.
• In the photo, saber-toothed cats have well-developed muscles, especially on the neck, chest and paws. Their forelimbs are longer than their hind limbs, and their wide feet end in sharp retractable claws. A saber-toothed cat could easily grab an enemy with its front paws and throw him to the ground as best he could.
• The saber-toothed tiger's skull was 30 - 40 cm in length. The frontal and occipital parts are smoothed, the massive facial part is extended forward, the mastoid process is well developed.
• The jaws opened very wide, almost 120 degrees. Special attachment of muscles and tendons made it possible to press the predator's upper jaw to the lower jaw, and not vice versa, as in all modern cats.
• The upper fangs of the saber-toothed tiger protruded 17 - 18 cm from the outside, their roots penetrated into the bones of the skull almost to the very eye sockets. The total length of the fangs reached 27 - 28 cm. They were compressed from the sides, well sharpened at the very ends, pointed in front and behind, and jagged. The unusual structure allowed the fangs to damage the thick skin of animals and bite through flesh, but deprived them of strength. If they hit the bones of the victim, the fangs could easily break, so the success of the hunt always depended on the correctly chosen direction and accuracy of the blow.
• The predator's skin has not been preserved and its color can only be established hypothetically. The color most likely was a camouflage device, and therefore corresponded to the habitat. It is quite possible that during the Paleogene period the fur had a sandy-yellow tint, and during the Ice Age only the white saber-toothed tiger was found.

Lifestyle and behavior

The ancient saber-toothed tiger is a representative of a completely different era and, in its behavior, bears little resemblance to modern cats. It is possible that the predators lived in social groups, which included three to four females, several males and young individuals. It is possible that the number of females and males was equal. By hunting together, animals could catch larger game, which means they could provide themselves with more food.

These assumptions are confirmed by paleontological finds - several skeletons of cats were often found near one skeleton of a herbivore. An animal, weakened by injuries and diseases, with such a lifestyle could always count on a portion of the prey. According to another theory, the tribesmen were not distinguished by nobility and ate a sick relative.

Hunting

For thousands of years, the predator specialized in hunting animals with thick skins. Having fangs capable of piercing their thick skin, he created real terror during the Ice Ages. The small tail did not allow the animal to develop high speed and hunts fast-running game, so its victims were clumsy, massive herbivorous mammals.

The ancient saber-toothed tiger used cunning techniques and got as close to its prey as possible. The victim was almost always taken by surprise, quickly attacked and used real wrestling techniques. Thanks to the special structure of the paws and the well-developed muscles of the anterior shoulder girdle, the animal could hold the animal motionless with its paws for a long time, running its sharp claws into it and tearing the skin and flesh.

The size of the victim often exceeded the size of the saber-toothed tiger several times, but this did not save it from inevitable death. After the prey was knocked to the ground, the predator's fangs pierced deep into its throat.

The speed and accuracy of the attack, and the minimum noise during the attack increased the chances of the saber-toothed cat eating its trophy on its own. Otherwise, larger predators and packs of wolves would come running to the battlefield - and here you had to fight not only for your prey, but also for your own life.

The extinct saber-toothed cat ate exclusively animal food, was not known for moderation in food, and could eat 10–20 kg of meat at a time. Its diet included large ungulates and giant sloths. Favorite food: bison, mammoths, horses.

There is no reliable information about the reproduction and care of offspring. Since the predator belongs to the class of mammals, it can be assumed that its cubs fed on mother’s milk for the first month of life. They had to survive in difficult conditions and how many kittens survived to puberty is not known. The lifespan of the beast is also unknown.

1. A giant fossil saber-toothed cat could very well be genetically cloned in the near future. Scientists hope to isolate DNA material suitable for the experiment from remains preserved in permafrost. The potential egg donor should be an African lioness.
2. Many popular science films and cartoons have been made about saber-toothed tigers. The most famous of them are “Ice Age” (one of the main characters of the cartoon is the good-natured Smilodon Diego), “Walking with Monsters”, “Prehistoric Predators”. They touch on interesting facts from the life of Smilodons and reconstruct the events of bygone days.
3. Predators had no serious competitors in their habitat. Megatheria (giant sloths) posed a certain danger to them. It is possible that they not only ate vegetation, but were also not averse to including fresh meat in their diet. When meeting with a particularly large sloth, Smilodon could well become both an executioner and a victim.

Niramin - Aug 1st, 2016

Several million years ago, a saber-toothed tiger lived on the European, American and African continents. Since, according to scientists, they became extinct in Europe about 40,000 years ago, and in America - 10,000 years ago, the first people had to deal with them. Although these animals are often called tigers, they are not actually related to modern striped predators. Zoologists consider them as relatives of today's cats.

The family of saber-toothed cats included the European homotherium and megantereon (height at withers 70-90 cm), as well as Smilodon (1.20 m) who lived in America. The latter was the largest and had the largest upper fangs, characteristic of these animals, which were up to 20 cm long. Individual species differed greatly in physique. While some had a strong body and short legs, like bears, others had an elegant body and long limbs.

Ancient predators hunted in mixed packs and mainly attacked herbivores that grazed in the wide steppes. The leaders were males who did not tolerate young competitors and killed the descendants of their predecessors. It is assumed that even mammoths and elephants became victims of the saber-toothed tiger, but this has not yet been proven. With their large teeth they tore the trachea and carotid artery of their prey, knocking it to the ground.

According to scientists, the fangs were made of relatively soft tissue, so they broke easily. Most likely, the animals could tear only muscle meat with them, and threw everything else away. It is assumed that it was this extravagance that caused their extinction, since over time the number of herbivores decreased significantly.

And this is what saber-tooth tigers supposedly looked like - see photos and pictures:

Photo: Saber-toothed tiger.



Smilodon.

Homotherium.

Photo: Megantereon.

Video: Saber-toothed tiger. 1 part

In the forties of the century before last, the Danish paleontologist and naturalist Peter Wilhelm Lund first described saber-toothed tigers. In those years, during excavations in Brazil, he discovered the first remains of Smilodon.

Later, fossilized bones of these animals were found in a California lake, where they came to drink. Since the lake was full of oil, and the remaining oil constantly flowed to the surface, animals often got stuck with their paws in this slurry and died.

Description and features of the saber-toothed tiger

The name saber-tooth, translated from Latin and ancient Greek, sounds like “knife” and “tooth”, also saber-toothed animals tigers called smilodon. They belong to the saber-toothed cat family, the genus Machairodidae.

Two million years ago, these animals inhabited the lands of North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Saber-toothed tigers lived in period from the beginning of the Pleistocene era until the very end of the Ice Age.

Saber-toothed cats, or Smilodon, the size of an adult tiger, 300-400 kilograms. They were a meter high at the withers, and one and a half meters long throughout the body.

Scholarly historians claim that Smilodon were light brown in color, possibly with leopard spots on their backs. However, among these same scientists there is debate about the possible existence of albinos, saber tooth tigers white colors.

Their legs were short, the front ones were much larger than the back ones. Perhaps nature created them in such a way that during a hunt, a predator, having caught a prey, could use its front paws to firmly press it to the ground, and then strangle it with its fangs.

There are many on the Internet photos saber tooth tigers, which show some differences between them and the cat family; they have a stronger build and a short tail.

The length of his fangs, taking into account the roots of the teeth themselves, was thirty centimeters. Its fangs are cone-shaped, pointed at the ends and slightly curved inward, and their inner side resembles a knife blade.

If the animal's mouth is closed, then the ends of its teeth peek out below the level of the chin. The uniqueness of this predator was that it opened its mouth unusually wide, twice as wide as the lion itself, in order to plunge its saber teeth into the body of the prey with furious force.

Habitat of the saber-toothed tiger

When settling the American continent, saber-toothed tigers preferred open areas not overgrown with vegetation for living and hunting. There is little information about how these animals lived.

Some naturalists suggest that Smilodon led a solitary lifestyle. Others argue that if they lived in groups, then these were flocks in which the same number of males and females, including young offspring, lived. Male and female saber-toothed cats did not differ in size; their only difference was the short mane of the males.

Nutrition

About saber-toothed tigers it is reliably known that they ate exclusively animal food - mastodons, bison, horses, antelopes, deer, aurochs. Also, saber-toothed tigers also hunted young, still fragile mammoths. Paleontologists admit that in search of food they did not disdain carrion.

Presumably, these predators hunted in packs; females were better hunters than males and always went ahead. Having caught the prey, they killed it by pressing it down and cutting the carotid artery with sharp fangs.

Which once again proves that they belong to the cat family. After all, as you know, cats strangle the prey they catch. Unlike lions and other predators, which, having caught, tear apart the unfortunate animal.

But saber-toothed tigers were not the only hunters on inhabited lands, and they had serious competitors. For example, in South America, they were competed by birds of prey, the elephant-sized fororacos and the huge sloths Megatherium, which were also not averse to eating meat from time to time.

In the northern parts of the American continent there were much more rivals. This is a cave lion, a large short-faced bear, a dire wolf and many others.

The reason for the extinction of saber-toothed tigers

In recent years, information appears from time to time on the pages of scientific journals that residents of a certain tribe have seen animals described as similar to saber-toothed tigers. The natives even gave them a name - mountain lions. But there is no official confirmation that saber tooth tigers alive.

The main reason for the extinction of saber-toothed tigers was the changing Arctic vegetation. The main researcher in the field of genetics, professor at the University of Copenhagen E. Willerslev and a group of scientists from sixteen countries examined a DNA cell obtained from an ancient animal preserved in an ice floe.

From which the following conclusions were drawn: the grasses that horses, antelopes and other herbivores ate at that time were rich in protein. With the onset of the Ice Age, all vegetation froze.

After the thaw, the meadows and steppes turned green again, but the nutritional value of the new grasses changed; its composition did not contain the required amount of protein. This is why all artiodactyls became extinct very quickly. And they were followed in a chain by saber-toothed tigers, who fed on them, and were simply left without food, which is why they died of hunger.

In our time of high technology, with the help of computer graphics you can restore anything and go back many centuries. Therefore, in historical museums dedicated to ancient, extinct animals there are many graphic pictures with image saber-toothed tigers, which allow us to get to know these animals as closely as possible.

Perhaps then we will begin to appreciate, love and protect nature more and saber-toothed tigers, and many other animals will not be included on the pages Red books like extinct species.