2013 Smilodon Sabertooth Cat 4 oz Silver Antique Coin

Smilodon is an extinct genus of machairodont felid. It is perhaps the best-known sabertoothed cat, and it lived in North and South America during the Pleistocene epoch (2.5 million years ago to 10,000 years ago). One of the largest collections of fossils has been obtained from the La Brea Tar Pits. Three species of the genus are known, and they vary in size and build.

Overall, Smilodon was more robustly built than any modern cat, with particularly well-developed forelimbs and exceptionally long upper canines. Its jaw had a bigger gape than modern cats and its upper canines were slender and fragile, being adapted for precision killing. These attributes made Smilodon a specialized hunter of large herbivores, such as bison and camels.

Smilodon likely lived in closed habitats, such as forests and bush, which would have provided cover for ambushing prey. Its reliance on large animals may have been the cause of its extinction. Scientists debate over whether Smilodon was a social animal. Comparison of predator responses to distress calls and the prevalence of healed injuries suggest that it was social, while its small brain size and vegetated habitat suggest it was more solitary. Some fossils show signs of ankylosing spondylitis, trauma and arthritis. Smilodon went extinct about 10,000 years ago.

• Country: Burkina Faso
• Mintage: 300
• Fine silver, antiqued

Includes:
• 2013 Smilodon Sabertooth Cat 4 oz Silver Antique Coin

Warranty Information:
This product comes with a 30-day warranty through TSC.