Animals Found in the La Brea Tar Pits

624 different species have been discovered at La Brea, which have combined to total more than one bones recovered. These discoveries consist of 231 species of vertebrates, 159 species of plants, and 234 species of invertebrates. Most of the mammal specimens recovered are carnivores (which represent 90% of the discoveries at La Brea), and the most abundant carnivore in the La Brea Tar Pits is the Dire Wolf. The second most abundant specimen is the saber-tooth cat. This is due to the fact that these animals would feed (in packs) on prey which was stuck in the asphalt, and become stuck in the process.

Canine of a saber-tooth cat