American lion
extinct mammal
Also known as: Panthera leo atrox
Quick Summary
The American lion (Panthera atrox) was an extinct species of large cat that lived in the Americas during the Pleistocene Epoch. It resembled the modern African lion but was significantly larger, estimated to be about one-third bigger. While lions historically roamed across Europe, Asia, and Africa, the American lion was a distinct species found in North and Central America. This prehistoric cat is known from fossil deposits, and its existence highlights the diverse megafauna that once inhabited the Americas.12
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