Smilodon was a prehistoric saber-toothed cat that lived during the Pleistocene epoch, around 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. Known for its distinctive elongated canine teeth, which could reach up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) in length, Smilodon was a formidable predator. It had a robust, muscular build with strong forelimbs and a powerful bite, adapted for taking down large prey like bison and mastodons. Smilodon fossils have been found primarily in the Americas, with notable discoveries in the La Brea Tar Pits in California, providing valuable insights into the fauna of the Pleistocene and the adaptations of saber-toothed predators.