The American lion (Panthera leo atrox) became extinct as early as in 300,000 years ago. It occurred in the Pleistocene period about 340,000 to 11,000 years ago. The lion was a native species of North America.
American lion was also called North American lion, American cave lion, and Naegele’s giant jaguar.
It was thought to be the biggest cat ever lived—even bigger than the present-day Siberian tiger.
Adult lions had an average body length of 1.6–2.5 m (5 ft 3 in–8 ft 2 in) with the shoulder height measured at 1.6–2.5 m (5 ft 3 in–8 ft 2 in).
The lion’s teeth were much like the modern-day cat’s teeth.
American lions had lived all throughout
the Maryland, Alberta, and Mexico.
The reason why American lions were also called cave lions is that they used to hide in caves during extreme weather conditions. They were not probably used to living in cold climatic conditions.
Lions used to make homes with grass and leaves. They made habitats in open lands.
They also ate American bison, camels, tapirs, horses, deers, and mammoths. American lions mostly preyed on herbivorous mammals.
Researchers believe that American lions had possibly become extinct when their primary preys were disappeared. According to a research many lions died of starvation.
