As discussed earlier, the sabre-tooth cat did not chase down its prey. It is likely that while hunting, it stalked its prey, waiting until it came close enough where an attack could be lodged. The sabre-tooth then used its elongated sabres to deliver a fatal slash to the throat or belly of the animal. It is likely that the cat would go for one quick fatal blow, and then wait for the devastating wound to cause the animal to bleed to death. The weight of the cat was probably best utilized in toppling the animal over on the attack, enabling the fatal piercing to occur (Mestel 1993).

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