just a quick smilodon sketch I did while I couldn't sleep. I was mostly playing with markings and just kinda studying their skeletons, namely their skulls. I'm just fascinated with them..I guess because they aren't alive anymore and so we can only guess at what they might have looked like..which is just fun! I was also toying with the idea of 'Would male Sabertooths have manes?" There is still some debate as to whether they were pride animals, but most scientsists seem to agree they were simply because of evidence found that suggested bones healing..in a lone cat..a fractured bone would guarantee certain death. However, some of these cats were cared for and fed while they recovered. Which likely means they were pride animals..much like today's lions (and roughly the same size) which leads me to wonder would territorial males had use for manes as used for intimidation/increased look in size etc. Or would have their sheer size and the massive jaws been used for the same purpose? Just idle thoughts..and of course this fella doesn't have a mane..just yummy stripes.

size: 7x11"
tools: mechanical pencil on smooth bristol
time: ?