<P> Smilodon is an extinct genus of machairodont felid . It is one of the most famous prehistoric mammals , and the best known saber - toothed cat . Although commonly known as the saber - toothed tiger , it was not closely related to the tiger or other modern cats . Smilodon lived in the Americas during the Pleistocene epoch ( 2.5 mya -- 10,000 years ago ) . The genus was named in 1842 , based on fossils from Brazil . Three species are recognized today : S. gracilis , S. fatalis , and S. populator . The two latter species were probably descended from S. gracilis , which itself probably evolved from Megantereon . The largest collection of Smilodon fossils has been obtained from the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles , California . </P>
<P> Smilodon is an extinct genus of machairodont felid . It is one of the most famous prehistoric mammals , and the best known saber - toothed cat . Although commonly known as the saber - toothed tiger , it was not closely related to the tiger or other modern cats . Smilodon lived in the Americas during the Pleistocene epoch ( 2.5 mya -- 10,000 years ago ) . The genus was named in 1842 , based on fossils from Brazil . Three species are recognized today : S. gracilis , S. fatalis , and S. populator . The two latter species were probably descended from S. gracilis , which itself probably evolved from Megantereon . The largest collection of Smilodon fossils has been obtained from the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles , California . </P>
when did the saber tooth tiger go extinct
when did the saber tooth tiger go extinct
10,000 years ago
10,000 years ago