Smilodon - last of the Sabre-toothed cats

Smilodon (last of the sabre-toothed cats)

Smilodon was one of the last sabre-toothed cats to roam the Earth. They went extinct around 10,000 years ago during a time that saw the extinction of many large herbivorous and carnivorous mammals. These sabre-toothed cats were the last of a long line of other sabre-toothed breeds and would have been around during the time of Cro-Magnon man. They were heavier and more robust then the more graceful cats of today – even some of our bigger breeds like lions and tigers. The Smilodon (Sabre-toothed cat) was bear like in build and strong enough to hunt large prey.

Extinction theory

1. Human migrants reached North America at the end of the Ice age. Many scientists believe early man was responsible for this wave of extinctions that occurred around this time zone by upsetting the eco system. 

2. Other academics believe that the Ice age ending brought about these extinctions. As the ice age ended, the environment would have changed too radically with varying vegetation patterns. New extensive grasslands and new forests replaced the old foliage. The summer and winter both became more extreme. Parts of North America dried out or became covered in snow. In theory, this denied food sources for mammoths and in turn Smilodon (Sabre toothed cat).

Of the two theories; the interference of man might be more plausible because Smilodon (Sabre toothed cats) had successfully survived previous Ice ages. They were around for many millions of years and adapted to weather patterns before.

Mammoths and other large mammals were hunted by men, who had adapted many means of killing these large beasts. If they were hunted to extinction; the over specialized and heavy Smilodon (Sabre-toothed cats) might not have been able to hunt faster mammals. They would not have had time to adapt if their main food sources were abruptly taken. If this were so; then Cro-Magnon man might have been inadvertently responsible.