Are saber-toothed cat a mutation or adaptation?

Saber-toothed cats, such as Smilodon, are not considered a mutation but rather an adaptation to their environment. Their elongated canine teeth and robust build were advantageous for hunting large prey during the Pleistocene epoch. These features evolved over time through natural selection, allowing them to become effective predators in their ecosystems. Thus, their distinctive traits represent evolutionary adaptations rather than random mutations.