We Were Wrong About The Saber-Tooth Tiger

Comments · 735

• SC

  @sciencedocumentary365 · 6 months ago

  The saber-toothed tiger is honestly an absolute prehistoric legend

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• ST

  @steveh-m665 · 6 months ago

  I think saber tooth cats and their shape, body and massive shoulders and crushing bite remind me of the African hyena.

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• ER

  @ErikA.Kruger-n2x · 6 months ago

  The first time I learned about the pressurized bite of a smilodon, I immediately thought of a staple-remover.

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• MA

  @MarcoAntonio-po1cy · 6 months ago

  It was Beautiful in every single way...

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• ER

  @ericdubert5983 · 6 months ago

  Saber toothed BEARCAT. I think it is more appropriate. Such sophisticated specialization doesn't occur without a sophisticated behavior behind it. The rear legs often miss discussion, undersized by some accounts, the power lifter that missed leg day, I've heard it stated. But there is a highly leveraged and robust attachment point that suggest it was an Olympic jumper and approaching prey perhaps as suggested, from high up, jumping from cover and pouncing upon its prey, driving it to the ground. The bite force was small, but when the moment was nigh, Smilodon places lower canines at the spine on the neck with the sabers set to plunge into the neck of their prey, and it uses the leverage of its entire body length, raising it rear legs violently, transmitting the force through its inflexible spine into the teeth ready to penetrate the thick fur and hide of its prey.  The force might well reach into the thousands. The arc of the teeth tracing the specific path of insertion, like a medieval stiletto driving by a kick through the seams of the thickest plates of armored knights. Death did not come fast, but the attack was over before the prey scarcely knew it was being hunted. Great show. I did think there is more to flesh out about Smilodon's hunting practice though.

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• CO

  @corneliuswowbagger · 6 months ago

  Reminds me of being at a conference in San Diego and taking a trip up to the La Brea Tar pits. A free afternoon well spent!

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• FX

  @fxinred · 6 months ago

  Sabretooth is an amazing creature

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• TA

  @tabish2084 · 5 months ago

  the thing "Smilodon hunted mammoth" and "they used their strong necks to swing their saber-tooth like knives" both matches with the fact that they lived in group. Like if we compare it to hyenas today, hyenas don't kill but they start by injuring the prey to eating it alive

  10

• ME

  @Megarfilm · 3 months ago

  I’ve never been this hooked on prehistoric creatures, the animation and research are next level

  2

• BA

  @barretharms655 · 5 months ago

  And the Buffalo has an interesting trait. The largest Buffalo will refuse to take a nap for half of the night instead. He will walk just to make certain that he pushes enough. Snow away so that the others can eat

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• DI

  @discoverprehistoricearth · 5 months ago

  As someone who loves Ice Age animals, this changed my perspective. It’s fascinating how science keeps rewriting what we “knew” about these predators.

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• TH

  @thode-e9j · 5 months ago

  I never realized how complex prehistoric creatures were until watching this, it’s incredible

  2