Saber-toothed cats, often referred to as saber-toothed tigers, were prehistoric carnivorous mammals known for their long, curved canine teeth. They lived during the Pleistocene epoch, approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. These animals belonged to the family Felidae and were not actually tigers but a distinct group of large cats. These cats were well-adapted for hunting large prey, such as mammoths and bison. Their powerful build and strong forelimbs allowed them to tackle and bring down animals much larger than themselves. Fossils of saber-toothed cats have been found in various locations across North America and South America, providing insight into their behavior and environment.