The claws of this animal are, most likely, quite dangerous, but it is obvious that it is the menacing sabre-teeth of this animal that draws paleontologists and others to query about this fascinating predator.

It is interesting to know that the evolution of the sabre-tooth (long canine), is common in carnivorous mammals. The sabre-tooth has evolved on different occasions, beginning approximately 45Ma in two different groups. The first group of mammals were nimravids, and the second a marsupial found in South America (www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/larson/smilodon.html).

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