Smilodon populator
Lund, 1842 1908-15 MNHN.F.PAM Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae, Machairodontinae Upper Pleistocene, 125 000 to 11 000 years ago Buenos Aires province, Argentina
The Smilodon, or sabre-toothed tiger, had canines that could reach a length of 25 centimetres! The joint between the lower jaw and the skull allowed the animal to open its mouth extremely wide and thus to inflict a terrible dagger blow to its prey. This development of the upper canines has occurred in multiple instances over the history of mammals, but the Smilodon exhibits the most extreme morphology.
The Smilodon genus is present in the Pleistocene fossil record of North and South America. Complete skeletons have been discovered in California and Argentina. The species that developed in the Upper Pleistocene in South America and particularly in Brazil, Smilodon populator, is the largest of the three species that existed. It measured 3 to 4 metres in length with a weight of about 400 kilogrammes. The hind legs were particularly powerful and the tail was very short.
Skulls of this species are presented in display case 94.
Cast from the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales in Buenas Aires and donated to the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in 1908 by the Argentinian palaeontologist Florentino Ameghino.