Buzz
Nature stands unrivaled when it comes to crafting deadly, efficient weapons, and some of the most remarkable killing tools found in the animal kingdom are beyond our wildest imagination. Yet, one of the most terrifying weapons in Nature is remarkably simple. Saberteeth have proven to be such an effective tool that they have independently evolved multiple times throughout history, appearing in completely different species. Below is a small selection of these remarkable creatures.
10. Machaeroides
Machaeroides, one of the first mammals to develop saberteeth, was about the size of a large fox or small coyote. Despite its size, its enlarged canines likely allowed it to take down prey much larger than that of other predators of similar stature. Machaeroides roamed the Earth during the Eocene period, over 50 million years ago. It was part of the Creodonta group, predatory mammals that dominated before the rise of the Carnivora (the group that modern carnivores belong to). Just to clarify, Machaeroides should not be confused with Machairodus, the true sabertooth cat that was part of the Carnivora order and eventually replaced creodonts like Machaeroides.
9. Uintathere
Not all saberteeth were exclusive to carnivores. Uintatheres, large, rhinoceros-like creatures from the Eocene period, were entirely herbivorous, yet they possessed a set of fearsome canines. Since only male Uintatheres had these saberteeth, it's unlikely they were used for defense against predators or feeding. More plausibly, these saberteeth functioned as weapons for intraspecies combat, with males using them to inflict serious harm during intense fights for dominance or mating rights. Much like modern hippos, Uintatheres likely had incredibly thick skin and an enhanced ability to heal, allowing them to survive these brutal clashes.
8. Gorgonopsid
Gorgonopsids are largely unknown to the public, though they gained some recognition among fans of prehistoric monsters after appearing in the British TV show *Primeval*. These fascinating creatures had characteristics of both mammals and reptiles, often regarded as a “link” between the two. As highly evolved predators, most Gorgonopsids sported saberteeth. It is believed that their saberteeth evolved as a response to the growing size and more resistant skin of their prey. Gorgonopsids varied in size from as small as a house cat to as large as four to six meters in the biggest species, like *Leontocephalus* and *Inostrancevia*. Some even had two pairs of short, dagger-like saberteeth! To make use of these formidable weapons, Gorgonopsids could open their jaws to an impressive 90-degree angle, making them likely the most dangerous predators of the Permian period (280-250 million years ago).
7. Dinofelis
The name *Dinofelis* translates to “terrible cat,” a fitting title for this jaguar-sized predator that once roamed Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America between 5 and 1 million years ago. Armed with short, dagger-like teeth, *Dinofelis* is one of many true felines to develop saberteeth, but it stands out for its apparent specialization in hunting primates. Fossils of baboons and other primates are frequently found in ancient *Dinofelis* lairs, some with puncture marks that match the shape of its saberteeth. Among the primates it targeted were two of our hominid ancestors, *Australopithecus* and *Paranthropus*, suggesting that *Dinofelis* was a significant threat to early humans. The species went extinct with the loss of forests—and many primate species—at the dawn of the Ice Age.
6. Barbourofelis
This unusual creature resembled a blend between a bear and a saber-toothed tiger. However, it wasn’t related to either of them; instead, it belonged to its own family, Barbourofelidae, and was one of the dominant predators in North America during the Miocene period, about 13 to 5 million years ago. Unlike felines, Barbourofelis was plantigrade, meaning it walked flat on its entire foot, similar to bears or humans, rather than on its toes. This made it slower than true feline sabertooths, suggesting that Barbourofelis likely relied on ambush tactics rather than pursuing prey over long distances.
Its massive size (comparable to a lion, but much stronger) and plantigrade stance, which enabled it to stand on its hind legs like a bear, allowed Barbourofelis to overpower large prey by bringing them down and holding them in place, before delivering a deadly bite with its 23 cm long saberteeth.
5. Nimravids
Nimravids were another group of predatory mammals that became extinct without leaving any descendants. Despite their disappearance, they were highly successful and numerous during the Eocene to Miocene periods, around 37 to 5 million years ago. They closely resembled cats, but had saberteeth, and many species featured strange, scabbard-like flanges on their lower jaws that protected their sabers when not in use.
Fossil evidence indicates that Nimravids were exceptionally fierce and dangerous, with different species engaging in brutal battles. For instance, the skull of a smaller species, *Nimravus*, was found with a hole that perfectly matched the saberteeth of *Eusmilus*, a larger Nimravid from the same time and region. Remarkably, the wound appears to have partially healed, suggesting that *Nimravus* survived the deadly encounter!
4. Smilodon
The legendary “sabertooth tiger,” *Smilodon*, was one of the largest true sabertooth cats, with the South American species reaching up to 500 kg! Even more terrifying was the possibility that they hunted in groups (or perhaps “prides”?). The largest *Smilodon* had 30 cm long canines and was well adapted for taking down large prey, including bison, horses, mammoths, and ground sloths. A single bite from *Smilodon* could cause massive blood loss and shock, and, if delivered correctly, could puncture internal organs or sever critical arteries and veins.
*Smilodon* also had incredibly powerful forelimbs and massive claws, which allowed it to overpower large animals with ease, far outpacing the strength of modern lions or tigers. It is even believed that *Smilodon* might have played a role in the extinction of other predators when it first arrived in South America. The most terrifying aspect of *Smilodon*? It went extinct only 10,000 years ago, meaning early humans likely encountered these lethal cats—and probably became their prey on occasion.
3. Burrowing Asp
While most saber-toothed creatures are long gone, one dangerous predator still uses enlarged fangs to kill, and it’s perhaps the most unusual of them all. The *Burrowing Asp*, a small snake from Africa, spends much of its life underground. It feeds on rodents and possesses long, venomous fangs that function much like saberteeth, protruding from its mouth when needed. Remarkably, the *Burrowing Asp* can strike without even opening its mouth, a useful adaptation that prevents dirt from entering its mouth during a struggle.
Unlike the saberteeth of other animals, the *Burrowing Asp*’s fangs are flexible and can move independently from each other. This allows the snake to stab its prey sideways with one fang, and after killing it, the snake can use the flexible fangs to manipulate the body for easier swallowing. The venom of the *Burrowing Asp* is moderately potent, and due to its ability to strike with its mouth closed, extra caution is required when handling one. There have been instances of children dying from a *Burrowing Asp* bite, but since these snakes tend to stay in their underground burrows, encounters with humans are rare.
2. Kaprosuchus
One of the most terrifyingly bizarre sabertoothed creatures, the recently discovered *Kaprosuchus* was a massive (six-meter long) crocodilian with not just one, but three pairs of saberteeth! One pair in the lower jaw jutted out like a wild boar’s tusks when the crocodile’s mouth was closed, earning it the nickname “Boar Croc.”
In contrast to modern-day crocodiles, *Kaprosuchus* was likely a fully terrestrial animal, believed to hunt large land animals, including dinosaurs. It’s unclear whether it hunted solo or in packs, as only one skull has been found, but whatever the case, it was certainly a fearsome predator, often described as “a sabertoothed cat in armor.” It roamed the Earth during the Cretaceous period, approximately 95 million years ago, in what is now the Sahara Desert.
1. Thylacosmilus
Although it may resemble a sabertooth cat, *Thylacosmilus* was actually a marsupial, more closely related to koalas and kangaroos than to the likes of *Smilodon*. It ranked as one of the top predators in South America during the Miocene, Pliocene, and early Pleistocene periods. While it wasn’t as large as *Smilodon*—being roughly the size of a modern jaguar—its saberteeth were even more exaggerated.
Unlike *Smilodon*, whose fangs reached their full size upon adulthood, the sabers of *Thylacosmilus* continued growing throughout its life. These canines were so long that their roots arched over its eye sockets, creating the animal's distinctively curved forehead. To protect its massive fangs, *Thylacosmilus* had scabbard-like flanges on its lower jaw, much like the already mentioned *Nimravids*, keeping its sabers safely encased when not in use.
Slower than *Smilodon*, *Thylacosmilus* was likely an ambush hunter. Though it was undoubtedly a fearsome predator, its dominance came to an end during the Pleistocene when true felines, including *Smilodon*, arrived in South America, outcompeting native marsupial predators. Unable to rival these monstrous felines, *Thylacosmilus* went extinct around 2 million years ago.
+ Clouded leopard
Despite some misconceptions, sabertoothed cats like *Smilodon* or *Dinofelis* (refer to #4 and #7) were not ancestors to any modern-day felines. They vanished without leaving any direct descendants. However, a potential living ancestor of the sabertooth may still exist today! Meet the Clouded leopard, a medium-sized feline native to the rainforests of India and Southeast Asia. Similar to *Dinofelis*, the Clouded leopard primarily preys on primates (such as monkeys and apes), and is known for its stunning coat patterns, remarkable agility, and notably, the longest fangs (in relation to its body size) of any living cat.
This becomes especially clear when examining the Clouded leopard’s skull. Its fangs match the length of those from several early sabertooth species! Some scientists suggest that the Clouded leopard could mark the start of a new lineage of sabertoothed cats—if, of course, this striking species can survive the ever-present threats of habitat destruction and poaching that jeopardize the two existing Clouded Leopard species.
