Thriller about sabertooth in modern day USA that somehow survived via being trapped in salt mines/ caverns in either Kansas or Utah. NOT Smilodon. Read late 1990s/early 2000s.

[Zebra]

I read this book in the late 90's - early 2000's
It's NOT Smilodon.
A hunter is after it maybe not knowing what it truly is.

[Kris]

Zebra, what the genre (which we need to add to the topic header) - e.g., for adults or teens? thriller, horror, etc.?

Can you tell us more about the main characters?

[Kris]

Can we eliminate Wildside by Steven Gould?

Is there a portal in the salt mines?

[Zebra]

Kris wrote: "Can we eliminate Wildside by Steven Gould?

Is there a portal in the salt mines?"

No portal, i think the sabertooth(s)? were trapped and lived on subterranean critters and/or maybe fish for many generations OR it was frozen in a state of semi-hibernation? (I really don't remember)

[Zebra]

Kris wrote: "Zebra, what the genre (which we need to add to the topic header) - e.g., for adults or teens? thriller, horror, etc.?

Can you tell us more about the main characters?"

I added genre.. ummm i think salt caverns were either being mined or expanded (to use for storage) which released the sabertooth. After it killed 1 or more workers a hunter got involved but i think it got to the surface by that point.

[Kris]

Is "sabertooth" or "saber tooth" definitely mentioned? "Prehistoric" mentioned? Any chance it's a cryptid creature?

[Zebra]

I'm convinced (myself? lol) that it's an actual sabertooth and I'm pretty sure that i read that as well.

[Zebra]

The ultimate bummer is that it was a really, really good book.