Jane Wallace, age 10, of Bessemer, Ala., for her question:

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SABER TOOTHED TIGER?

About 12,000 years ago, the saber toothed tiger became extinct. This catlike prehistoric animal first lived on earth about 4 million years ago.

The saber toothed tiger was one of the many catlike species that had enlarged canine teeth. These teeth were shaped like sabers, or curved swords, and were about eight inches long. They were pointed fang like teeth that grew near the front of the animal's mouth.

Fossils of the saber toothed tiger have been found in Africa, Europe and both North and South America. The cats were probably just as heavy as today's tigers.

The prehistoric saber toothed tigers most likely ate thick skinned animals including elephants, mastodons and ground sloths.

Saber toothed tigers were definitely in the cat family. The scientific classification for the animal is Felidae.