Saber-toothed cats, which went extinct about 10,000 years ago, often show signs of disease in their pelvic bones. It was previously believed that this was due to injuries and infections occurring during hunting, reports Scientific Reports. These predators attacked large animals by sneaking up on them and sinking their fangs into them, while their hindquarters remained vulnerable, as evidenced by marks on the vertebrae of the lower spine.
However, researchers from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles have established that the bone anomalies of saber-toothed cats are a result of hip dysplasia. The scientists analyzed saber-toothed cat remains using modern medical technologies such as computed tomography and three-dimensional modeling, which are applied in bone surgery and prosthetic creation. The study of the internal structure of the bones revealed dysplasia—a congenital defect that leads to limited mobility and pronounced lameness. This pathology is observed in both humans and animals; however, humans have access to joint transplant surgeries, and pets can undergo similar interventions, although they are usually well cared for.
Saber-toothed cats, being wild predators, constantly experienced stress on their joints, especially the hip joint. Bone defects indicating dysplasia were found in fully adult individuals. According to the authors of the study, this suggests that saber-toothed cats cared for those who could not hunt effectively, as otherwise, individuals with dysplasia would not have survived to adulthood. Signs of healed wounds were also found on the remains of saber-toothed cats, which apparently were quite serious. Hunting and leading an active life with such injuries would have been difficult; however, since they were able to recover, it means that someone supported them during tough times.
We certainly cannot know exactly what the social structure of saber-toothed cats was like, so we can only make indirect conclusions. It is likely that they had a developed system of mutual aid and support. In modern cats, social bonds are not as pronounced, except for lions, but saber-toothed cats represent a distinct group that is significantly different from tigers, lions, and leopards. Nevertheless, other theories can be proposed regarding the long lives of injured saber-toothed cats—perhaps they could hunt small animals or even scavenge.
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