New Research Reveals Surprising Dietary Similarities Among Saber-Toothed Cats—Plus, Join Us for a Special Kids’ Day Event at Bridgestone Arena!
Nashville, TN – April 4, 2025 – A innovative study led by researchers from Vanderbilt University sheds new light on the dietary ecology of the iconic saber-toothed cat, Smilodon. The study, published in a special issue on sabertoothed organisms in The Anatomical Record, reveals that Smilodon fatalis and Smilodon gracilis—two species that lived thousands to millions of years apart—exhibited surprisingly similar feeding behaviors despite differences in size, morphology, and habitat.
Ph.D. student Justin Pardo-Judd and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Larisa DeSantis used dental microwear texture analysis to examine microscopic wear patterns on the teeth of Smilodon fossils from Florida. Their findings suggest that Smilodon fatalis—the larger, more well-known species—had a consistent diet across diverse climatic regions, with feeding habits indistinguishable from its famous counterparts at Rancho La Brea (commonly known as the La Brea Tar Pits) in California.
“This is an exciting discovery because it suggests that Smilodon fatalis was a dietary generalist, capable of adapting to different environments,” said Pardo-Judd. “It’s not just about what these cats ate, but how they consumed their food. Their ability to moderately consume bone and flesh mirrors modern African lions, and it turns out other Smilodon individuals and species.”
Perhaps even more surprising, the study found that Smilodon gracilis—a smaller and more ancient species—exhibited nearly identical feeding patterns to Smilodon fatalis in Florida. This challenges previous assumptions that the two species had significantly different dietary strategies due to their distinct body sizes and ecological roles.
Moreover, the research revealed a shift in dietary habits of Smilodon gracilis during glacial and interglacial periods, a pattern previously observed in Smilodon fatalis at Rancho La Brea. During glacial periods, individuals appeared to process tougher foods, possibly due to shifts in prey availability and increased competition with other predators.
“These findings provide a more nuanced understanding of how these prehistoric predators survived and adapted over time,” said DeSantis. “They also help us understand broader patterns of extinction and resilience in large carnivores.”
This research underscores the importance of studying prehistoric ecosystems to inform modern conservation efforts. With most wild cat species currently in decline due to human activity, insights into the adaptability and extinction of past predators could help predict how today’s big cats might respond to environmental changes.
The study, Dietary Ecology of Smilodon Across Time and Space: Additional Perspectives from Smilodon gracilis and Smilodon fatalis in Florida, is now available in The Anatomical Record.
In addition to studying saber-toothed predators, the DeSantis DREAM Lab and Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt are participating in community outreach as part of the Kid’s Day Predators Event. They will be bringing a saber-toothed cat and numerous other Ice Age fossils to share with kids at the Pregame Plaza Party held outside the Bridgestone Arena at 4pm. They will also showcase these fossils in the Fun Zone during the first period and intermission, after the puck drop. Bring the whole family and come join us!
For media inquiries, please contact: Dr. Larisa DeSantis
Email: larisa.desantis@vanderbilt.edu
Vanderbilt University, Department of Biological Sciences
Citation: Pardo‐Judd, J. and DeSantis, L.R.G., 2025. Dietary ecology of Smilodon across time and space: Additional perspectives from Smilodon gracilis and Smilodon fatalis in Florida. [Early View] The Anatomical Record
Funding Statement: This research was funded by the Evolutionary Studies Initiative at Vanderbilt University and the National Science Foundation (EAR 1053839 and EAR 1757545).