The top saber-toothed predators had the perfect tools for killing. Discover the reasons behind their extinction (with photos).

Sabertooth teeth, similar to those of the apex predators of the Ice Age, were perfectly designed for piercing prey and subduing it. Scientists have discovered that several species of predatory mammals independently developed these similar traits over time. However, none of these species, which possessed such formidable weaponry, survived into the Holocene. Why did this happen? Researchers are focused on finding answers, as reported by IFLScience.

Smilodon, the sabertooth cat, or more commonly known as sabertooth tigers, earned their place among the most fearsome hunters of the past, ranking alongside the Tyrannosaurus rex and the megalodon. However, they were also the last of at least five families of mammals and mammal precursors that developed similar teeth, despite not being closely related.

In a new study, Dr. Talia Pollock from the University of Bristol and her colleagues were intrigued by this convergent evolution alongside the extinction of sabertooth predators. It is evident that such long and sharp teeth were incredibly useful for hunting and subduing prey. However, the longer and thinner the teeth, the greater the chance they would break.

During the experiment, the researchers sought to determine the stress that the teeth of sabertooth predators experienced from struggling prey. To do this, the team created 3D-printed steel replicas of the teeth from 25 species of sabertooths and conducted bite tests on gelatin blocks. The scientists also performed computer simulations to identify where the stress was highest. The test results were then compared to teeth from 70 other species of carnivorous mammals.

According to Pollock, the results of their research provide a better understanding of how extreme adaptations evolve, not only in sabertooth predators but in nature as a whole. The team also believes that combining biomechanics with evolutionary theory could reveal how natural selection shapes animals for specific tasks.

The findings indicated that sabertooth teeth beautifully balanced the sharpness needed to pierce tough hides while being thick enough to avoid breaking. Interestingly, the exact shape of sabertooth teeth varied—likely depending on their preferred prey.

The researchers also think that the shape of the teeth may have differed based on various killing styles. Thin teeth were suitable for tearing softer yet harder-to-reach parts of the prey. Meanwhile, species that preferred the "grip and hold" approach, familiar from documentaries about modern big cats, developed stronger teeth.

The study's results do address the question of why such tooth shapes continue to emerge in different species, but unfortunately, they do not explain why all of them went extinct. The researchers are uncertain, but they believe this may be linked to the fact that sabertooth teeth made these predators specialized in their hunting. For instance, such tooth shapes are not well-suited for catching smaller prey, and ultimately, they might have been unfit for hunting species that were available at any given time.

It is worth noting that this specialization of sabertooths may have been advantageous under stable conditions. However, it likely became a disadvantage as the planet's climate changed.