SPEAKER_00 0:06

What if I told you? There used to be a tiger with teeth as long as your hand. Strong enough to take down massive animals, and powerful enough to survive in a very different world. It's not a movie, and it's not a made-up story, it was real. The Sabertooth Tiger explorers! Welcome back to the Nature Love and Kids Podcast, where we discover the amazing design hidden in God's creation. I'm your host, Garrett Maroon, and before I introduce my three favorite time traveling explorers, let me give a very big happy birthday to Cameron from Kentucky. Thank you so much for listening to the show, Cameron. And if you want to say hi to the Nature Loving Kids like Cameron did, suggest a topic for an episode or get a birthday shout out, email us at Nature LovingKidsPodcast at gmail.com. Now introducing my three favorite explorers.

SPEAKER_03 1:32

Hi, I'm Hattie, and I feel like we're going back in time again. And a special thanks to my friend Max, Max Wilson, who asked us to do this special episode. And I'm Dylan, and I'm glad we're not actually there.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

And I'm Ivy, and it would be scary to see one.

SPEAKER_00 1:53

I agree with you, Ivy. Today we're learning about one of the most powerful animals that ever lived, the saber-toothed tiger. Saber-toothed tigers were large, powerful cats that lived long ago. Even though we call them tigers, they were a special kind of big cat, different from the lions and tigers we see today.

SPEAKER_03 2:16

So they were like their own category of a big cat?

SPEAKER_00 2:20

Exactly. They had strong muscular bodies, thick legs, powerful shoulders, and of course, their famous teeth.

SPEAKER_02 2:30

The giant teeth are the coolest part.

SPEAKER_00 2:33

They definitely stand out. Saber tooth tigers had long front teeth called canines.

SPEAKER_03 2:42

Some of these teeth were about seven inches long.

unknown 2:45

Whoa.

SPEAKER_00 2:46

That's huge for a cat. It really is. Those teeth were designed to help them hunt large animals.

SPEAKER_03 2:55

Wouldn't they break easily?

SPEAKER_00 2:57

Great question. Their teeth were strong, but they had to use them carefully. That's why Sabertooth tigers also had powerful neck muscles and strong bodies so they could control their bite.

SPEAKER_03 3:10

So their whole body worked together for hunting.

SPEAKER_00 3:14

It was all part of God's design. Sabertooth tigers lived during a time often called the Ice Age. From a biblical perspective, many Christians believe this time likely came after the flood when the Earth's climate changed and created new environments.

SPEAKER_03 3:34

So the world looked really different back then?

SPEAKER_00 3:37

Yes. There were large animals, different climates, and changing landscapes.

SPEAKER_03 3:45

It was still God's world, but in a different season of history. That makes it feel more real somehow.

SPEAKER_00 3:52

It does. It reminds us that the earth has gone through lots of change. Alright, time for a quick tiger joke. Why don't you go first, Ivy Lane?

SPEAKER_01 4:08

What did the Sabertooth say to the other Sabretooth? What? Sabertooth, we love you, Sabretooth!

SPEAKER_02 4:18

A saber toothed tiger will never blow anything up. But a dino might.

SPEAKER_00 4:39

Saber-toothed tigers were powerful hunters.

SPEAKER_03 4:42

They likely hunted large animals like bison, large deer, sloth-like creatures, and possibly young mammoths. So they needed those big teeth for big animals?

SPEAKER_00 4:56

Exactly. They also had strong front legs to grab and hold their prey.

SPEAKER_03 5:02

So they weren't just fast, they were strong.

SPEAKER_00 5:06

Right. They were built for power.

SPEAKER_03 5:12

But if no one has seen one alive, how do we know they existed?

SPEAKER_00 5:17

Great question, Hattie. People have discovered their bones in the ground called fossils. One of the most famous places is the La Bria Tarpits in California.

SPEAKER_03 5:29

That's the sticky ground place, right?

SPEAKER_00 5:32

Yes. Animals got trapped there long ago and their bones were preserved. Now scientists can study them and learn what these animals look like. Alright, time for one more quick joke break.

SPEAKER_02 5:54

What do you call the cat next door ten thousand years ago? What? A neighbor toothed tiger.

SPEAKER_01 6:03

What did the pot say to the pencil? What? I'm gonna smash your pencil pan.

SPEAKER_03 6:12

Well that wasn't about saber-toothed tigers. But it was funny.

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Think about this. God created a world full of animals we see today, and also animals we don't see anymore. Some were gentle, some were powerful, some were very different.

SPEAKER_03 6:34

Like saber-tooth tigers.

SPEAKER_00 6:36

Exactly. Even though they're gone now, they remind us how creative and powerful God's design has always been. Saber-tooth tigers were incredible animals.

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With giant teeth, strong bodies, and a role in a very different world.

SPEAKER_00 6:56

Even today, their story helps us understand more about the history of creation. Thanks for joining us on the Nature Loving Kids Podcast.

SPEAKER_03 7:09

If you like this episode, share it with a friend. And remember, click the follow button. New episode every Wednesday. And we'd love to hear from you. Please leave us a review. We read every one.

SPEAKER_02 7:21

And I'm definitely glad that we don't see these tigers at the zoo.

SPEAKER_00 7:26

Until next time, stay curious, get outside, and remember the world is full of wild wonders.