The saber-toothed cat, often referred to as the saber-toothed tiger, was a prehistoric predator that lived during the Pleistocene epoch. It is best known for its long, curved canine teeth, which could grow up to 8 inches long. These cats were part of the family Felidae and are believed to have hunted large herbivores like mammoths and bison. Saber-toothed cats were not true tigers but belonged to the genus Smilodon. They had a robust build, strong forelimbs, and a powerful bite, which helped them capture and hold onto their prey. They became extinct around 10,000 years ago, likely due to climate change and the decline of their prey.