Smilodon californicus
|
|
| Smilodon californicus Conservation status: Fossil | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missing image Smilodon_californicus.jpg Fossil specimen at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC | ||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||||
| Smilodon californicus |
Smilodon californicus ("Smilodon of California") is sometimes considered a separate species of the genus Smilodon but is more likely a subspecies of Smilodon fatalis (as is Smilodon floridanus).
Smilodon (fatalis) californicus is the California state fossil, most abundantly found in the La Brea Tar Pits where it would have been caught in tar while pursuing prey.
See also Smilodon, Smilodon fatalis, Smilodon gracilis and Smilodon populator.
External links
- California: Smilodon californicus (state fossil) (http://www.statefossils.com/ca/ca.html)
- Dino Land State Fossils: Smilodon of California (http://www.geocities.com/stegob/smilodoncalifornia.html)
- Machairodontinae (Sabre-toothed Cats) (http://www.lioncrusher.com/Machairodontinae.htm)