Smilodon, commonly known as the saber-toothed cat, was a large, prehistoric carnivorous mammal that lived during the Pleistocene epoch, around 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. It is best known for its massive, elongated canine teeth, which could grow up to 28 cm (11 inches) long. Smilodon had a robust, muscular build, with short, powerful limbs, making it well-suited for ambush hunting. It likely preyed on large herbivores like bison and mammoths. Fossils of Smilodon have been discovered across the Americas, with some of the best-preserved specimens found in the La Brea Tar Pits in California. It is one of the most iconic and well-studied Ice Age predators.