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Key Information

Cave Lion

Species Panthera spelaea
Diet Carnivore
Height 3 ft 11 inches
Length Up to 8 ft 2 inches
Weight Up to 747 lb
Timescale Middle to Late Pleistocene
Classification Mammalia > Felidae > Pantherinae
Similar Species Lion, American Lion

Learning Point

  • The Cave Lion was a prehistoric lion, likely a little larger than the modern lion, which roamed Europe, Asia and into North America. It was a powerful predator. In recent years some discoveries have found well preserved cubs dating back thousands of years. The remains are among the best preserved prehistoric animals.

Project

  • Draw a mother cave lion and her cubs.
  • Overview
  • X-Ray
Cave Lion
By W. Gornig – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Size-comparison-of-Ukrainian-lions-and-the-extant-southern-lion-a-Pathera-spelaea.png, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Skeleton of a Cave Lion
By Tommy from Arad – PantheraUploaded by FunkMonk, CC BY 2.0, Link

Location

Confirmed Africa, Europe, Asia, North America

Fun Facts

  • The likely didn’t have manes, or had very short ones, as cave paintings don’t show manes like modern lions.
  • They are very similar to modern lions, though they were bigger, with males being bigger than the female.
  • The likely had a lighter colour fur than modern lions.
  • It may have been human activity that contributed to their demise, as they were frequently hunted for their skins.

Past Lessons

154 June 24, 2024 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

No Upcoming Lessons