Huge Saber-Toothed Tigers Once Roamed West Virginia, But Now Just Their Bones Are Left
Underneath the feet of those who wander through West Virginia lies a vast network of cavernous tunnels, a kingdom of caves. Few inhabit these deep, dark regions – but specimens found deep within them tell a fascinating, exotic, mysterious tale. Giant ground sloths in West Virginia? Mammoths? Mastodons? Apparently. In fact, it seems that even fierce saber-tooth cats once prowled these mountain forests.
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Saber-toothed tigers are among the most infamous of the ancient carnivores.
But at least if you're talking about the genus Smilodon, they weren't really tigers at all, but rather a convergent species seemingly only distantly related to cats.
More accurately alluded to by their name, saber-toothed animals are famous for their long front teeth, which hung down out of their mouths even when their jaws were closed.
And believe it or not, remains of these huge, saber-toothed "tigers" have been found in at least three caves right here in West Virginia, in Greenbrier and Pendleton Counties.
Organ Cave in Ronceverte is the location of one of the Saber-toothed fossil discoveries. Another was reportedly found in Hamilton Cave.
But saber-toothed cat presence here in West Virginia remains shrouded in mystery. We may never discover answers to many questions surrounding their existence, or that of the many other huge, prehistoric animals whose bones have been found in the region. But it’s still pretty neat to think about all the creatures that have walked this same land we now roam!
To view a saber-toothed cat fossil, visit the natural history museum inside the Lost World Caverns Gift Shop. There are lots of other cool fossils to be seen there as well, and while you’re in the building, definitely consider taking a self-guided tour of these caverns.
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Cristy lives, writes, tutors, gardens, hikes, and relaxes with her family in the heart of Appalachia. She loves exploring new places, and she loves heading back home again when she's done.
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