Rare discovery: 30,000-year-old footprint of the toothed tiger

Scientists have discovered rare fossil footprints of a sword tooth tiger in Argentina, believed to be more than 30,000 years old.

A group of paleontologists discovered this in the seaside resort of Miramar, 450km south of Buenos Aires.

This is the first time to find footprints like this.

Miramar has become famous since the 19th century as a special place for palaeontological findings. However, this is the first time to find such footprints.

Paleontologist Federico Agnoli said: 'In our country we have found many teeth of the tooth-tailed tiger but they are always the remains. Although those bones provide information, they do not say how the animal is walking, how it lives. Footprints bring more information. '

Mr. Agnoli explained that the southern plains from Buenos Aires are very different from what we see today. The landscape used to include vast bushland.

Fossil footprints are thought to date more than 30,000 years - (Photo from CEN).

It is home to long-extinct giant mammals such as toxodon hippopotamus, the ancient tatu called glytodon, giant terrestrial lazy species, horse-like creatures called macrauchenia, Giant rodents and birds up to 1m high.

Paleontologists from the Punta Hermengo University, the Azara Foundation, the Miramar City Museum, the Argentine Natural Science Museum, and the National Science and Technology Research Commission were able to obtain information. value information from these footprints, 30cm in diameter.

Footprints were discovered at Miramar's beach resort - (Photo from CEN).

Agnoli said: 'These footprints show that this animal has adapted to traveling long distances through bushland. They also show that the forelegs are broad and healthy. This appears in animals that are not good sprinters, but instead wait to hide ready to ambush a large mammal. They will suddenly attack the prey, pin it down, hold their prey with their legs before finishing it with their dagger-like fangs.

The tiger tooth, called Smilodon , is said to weigh up to 300kg, has teeth protruding from its 19cm long mouth with a 120-degree bite, making it a terrifying carnivore. '