"Smilodon" is most famous for its relatively long canines, which are the longest found in the saber-toothed cats, at about long in the largest species "Smilodon populator". Those of "S. fatalis" reached their full size in 18 months at a growth rate of 7 mm/month. These canine teeth were slender and had fine serrations. They were fragile and could not have bitten into bone. Therefore, the cats did not use their long teeth to take down prey. Only when their prey was subdued did they use their teeth.