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When did lions disappear from North America?
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lion
The distinguishing feature of a male lion (Panthera leo) is its mane, which makes the animal look larger and may serve to intimidate rivals or impress prospective mates.
Lions disappeared from North America approximately 10,000 years ago.1
It is important to distinguish these lions from other prehistoric predators often confused with them. While the modern lion (Panthera leo) is a distinct species, North America was once home to the extinct American lion, a larger prehistoric cat. Additionally, the region was inhabited by sabre-toothed cats, such as Smilodon, which are often colloquially referred to as "sabre-toothed lions" despite being only distantly related to modern felids.23