In the annals of Canada’s prehistoric landscapes, a newfound revelation adds a thrilling chapter — the confirmation of the presence of the formidable Smilodon fatalis, more commonly known as the ‘sabre-toothed tiger,’ during the last ice age in Alberta.
The discovery challenges previous geographical assumptions, expanding the known range of this apex predator further north than ever documented.
The fossilized evidence emerged from the Medicine Hat region of Alberta, where paleontologist Ashley Reynolds unearthed a small yet significant bone from the right front paw of a Smilodon. This finding marks the first confirmed instance of the sabre-toothed cat’s presence in Canada, dispelling previous notions that it never ventured beyond Idaho.
The discovery is part of a trove of specimens collected in the 1960s by University of Toronto paleontologist C.S. Churcher and his team. The fossils had been roughly sorted but not thoroughly examined until Reynolds, a PhD student in paleontology at the University of Toronto, revisited them.
The bone, identified as belonging to Smilodon fatalis, adds a new dimension to our understanding of the prehistoric inhabitants of Alberta. Previously, Smilodon was believed to be absent in Canadian territories, making this finding a significant contribution to the knowledge of ice age predators in the region.
Smilodon fatalis, colloquially referred to as the ‘sabre-toothed tiger,’ is a member of an extinct group of large cats characterized by its massive serrated canines. Contrary to popular belief, these prehistoric cats are not closely related to tigers but share a kinship with housecats. Their distinctive flattened and serrated canines, akin to holding steak knives, were adapted for a unique method of dispatching prey.
The fossilized bone from Medicine Hat is estimated to be between 35,000 to 40,000 years old, hailing from the Pleistocene epoch. At that time, the region was a sprawling plain teeming with diverse herds of horses, camels, and bison, navigating between colossal glaciers to the east and the Cordilleran ice sheet to the west.
Smilodon fatalis, with its shorter and stockier build compared to contemporary big cats, likely ambushed its prey by hiding in the tall grass. Its distinctive killing method involved slashing and goring the prey’s throat, causing rapid hemorrhaging and ensuring a swift demise.
The discovery of Smilodon in Alberta adds to the fossilized menagerie found in the region, including the fossil of an American lion and a potential cave lion, suggesting a diverse ecosystem of large predators and herbivores during the last ice age.
This revelation not only reshapes our understanding of the ancient inhabitants of Alberta but also underscores the complexities of Pleistocene ecosystems. As the curtain is pulled back on Canada’s ice age, each fossilized bone contributes to a richer narrative of prehistoric life and the dynamic interactions between predators and prey in a bygone era.
