For the first time, scientists have reconstructed the brain anatomy of saber-toothed cats that lived in Europe - including regions of present-day Italy - around two million years ago.

The study, published in The Anatomical Record, was led by paleontologists from the University of Florence and examined three fossil skulls discovered in Spain, Italy, and France. The research focused on Megantereon cultridens, one of the best-known saber-toothed predators of the Early Pleistocene.

The findings reveal a brain structure that was intermediate between those of modern felines and larger pantherine cats such as lions, tigers, and leopards. This suggests the species possessed considerable ecological flexibility, allowing it to thrive in a variety of environments.

Researchers describe Megantereon as a highly adaptable predator, primarily associated with forested habitats but capable of adjusting to different ecological conditions, much like modern pumas and jaguars. The study also indicates advanced spatial orientation skills and a cerebellum structure linked to strong motor coordination, supporting the hypothesis that the animal may have been an effective climber.