Smilodon's fangs averaged 18 cm long. An engaging video explains what saberteeth are and how they evolved. It details the theories about how species used saberteeth and why cats don't have them today. 

Concepts

the ice age, animal teeth, animal adaptations

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Assign a creative writing assignment about the evolution and result of saberteeth on a current species of cat
• Debate which theory of saberteeth functions makes the most sense

Classroom Considerations

• Relies on prior knowledge of convergent evolution
• The video is just one intriguing part of a larger series produced by PBS Eons
  

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Requires very little class time
• Includes closed captioning in English to help with note taking

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.6.2 SL.7.2 SL.8.2 SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4