Nelson Maniscalco

Similar in overall size to today's largest extant cats but more robustly built, Smilodon fatalis' name appropriately translates to "fatal scalpel tooth".

Smilodon fatalis roamed the American continents for approx. 2.5 million years before becoming extinct at the end of the last Ice Age, approx. 10,000 years ago. Amongst the most famous prehistoric animals of all-time, Smilodon is easily the best-known of the Machairodontinae felids, more commonly referred to as saber-toothed tigers. Smilodon, however, was not closely related to modern tigers, but an advanced predator that evolved remarkable killing adaptations not seen in any living feline species. The most distinctive feature in the skull of Smilodon was its elongated, dagger-like upper canines, used to stab and rip open prey. The bodies of these sabre-toothed cats were roughly the size of extant African lions, but more robust, with powerful, well-built forelimbs used to subdue struggling prey.

The bronze Smilodon offered here was constructed by Nelson Maniscalco (1949-2021), an national award-winning sculptor and Professor of Art and Anatomy at Cedar Crest College, Pennsylvania. His unique bronze sculptures are on display in numerous natural history museums, art galleries, and private collections around the world, with this Smilodon piece being a stark reminder of the awesome power of one of the largest cats to ever exist.