How did sabre-toothed cats use their canines?

Some point to the clouded leopard of Asia has sometimes as having the potential to become the next sabertooth. The cat's canines are long for its size; perhaps, over time and with the right evolutionary nudging, the clouded leopard or another cat could take Smilodon's place. read more

The different groups of saber-toothed cats evolved their saber-toothed characteristics entirely independently. They are most known for having maxillary canines which extended down from the mouth even when the mouth was closed. Saber-toothed cats were generally more robust than today's cats and were quite bear-like in build. read more

And this skull belongs to Homotherium, a relative to Smilodon, but with smaller canines. In both skulls, the incisor teeth come pretty far outward, which would indicate the second feeding style over the first. Be it their carnassials or incisors, Saber Toothed Cats are believed to have been choosy diners in what parts of a kill they ate. read more