AboutDavid Prus Expertise I can answer any general questions about dinosaurs and on prehistoric mammals in the Cenozoic. I also know a bit about the media's various depictions of dinosaurs and their inaccuracies. I don't know much about "microfauna"-small animals, or about Paleozoic besides some knowledge about Permian animals. Plants are right out, I'm afraid.
Experience I have been interested in dinosaurs for most of my life, own a large collection of scientific papers and books on the subject, and am a member of the Field Museum in Chicago.
Education/Credentials I am in college, but studied biology and geology both in high school and as a personal effort.
Expert: David Prus Date: 12/18/2007 Subject: moder vs extinct
Question QUESTION: Hi, Mr. Prus
How do you think Smilodon Fatalis or Populator would fair against a modern Lion or Tiger, would they be able to easily defeat it in a battle or would avoid it ?
thanks
ANSWER: Interesting question. I'm afraid I'll have to resort to pure conjecture as it's currently impossible to find out.
While all would try to avoid battle, I could imagine a pretty fierce fight ensuing. Lions and tigers frequently battle for territory, and it's possible that Smilodons would too. It would be close-they all are around the same size range and each would have strengths and weaknesses. The big cats of today can use their teeth in combat, while the Smilodon species are both extremely heavily built. I would say the sabertooths would have the advantage due to their more muscular physique, but the modern cats would give a good account of themselves.
For a second opinion, try the Interspecies Conflict section. The expert there, Fady Isho, is not as generous with the modern cats' chances.
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QUESTION: Hi again fady closed his account which is why i asked you, but I never heard of him answering a question like that before can you tell me what he said.
Answer "Siberian tigers could have very well grew larger than smilodon populator and smilodon fatalis. But they where both much stronger that a Siberian tiger or pantherine cats in general (Machairodontinae cats). This is because they where built more powerfully in there skeleton and had more powerful muscles. They where probably even stronger than the jaguar relatively the strongest feline alive today relatively. They where actually more closely built to black bears than felines."
"Lion vs Smilodon, no doubt Smilodon 9/10 times lions are great great fighters and are very intimidating and brave but a Smilodon is out of there leauge as strong as a grizzly bear and much quicker its blows where far more powerful than a lions and it was better armed no real threat to a Smilodon."
"
Smilodon vs Siberian tiger in my past answers I have stated that both a tiger or lion wouldn't be much of a threat to smilodon as many experts will tell you it was just as strong as a grizzly bear if not stronger and yet more agile and quicker. It hits would inflict so much damage to a tiger that the tiger would know it's to strong to fight and flea. I would say smilodon 9/10 times. Of course everybody's opinion should be respected."
Others were more forgiving: Nima-"Siberian Tiger Vs Smilodon: A very even fight. The smilodon was much more heavily built than modern cats and therefor lot stronger, while the Tiger has the size advantage and the speed
For now i will say 50/50"
